“OUTRAGEOUS.”

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1925, Page 4

“OUTRAGEOUS.”

MR CIIA PPI.E’S OUTBURST. ( Lyttelton “1 tines"). Severe disapproval and condemnation of the Rev. .1. 11. C. Chappie's outburst at the May Day celebration was expressed yesterday by the Rev. .1. K. Archer, Labour A! ayor-eloct, when asked by a reporter if lie would reply to criticism directed agutinst him for taxing part in the gathering. Mr Chappie had slated that lie Would as soon pray for a weasel as the King.

“The meeting in the Trades Hall on Friday night," said Air Archer, “was neither a Communist meeting nor a meeting arranged by the Labour Party

or any of its leaders. It was organised by a uutnber of people.' mainly young men connected with the Socialist Sunday School, which meets in the Trades Hall on Sunday afternoons. The idea of the promoters was, J understand, to celebrate A lay Day on it.- proper date and. as part of the celebration, to have three spoeeTfes by representatives of different types of progressive political thought. ■■[ was asked to say a few words in my new capacity as Labour Alayor, but had jto idea who the other speakers were to be. When I entered the room the Rev. J. H. C. Chappie was already speaking and I only heard part of what he said. That part, however. eontn'inod among other things his criticism of the Monarchy and when my turn came to address the audience l expressed a- strongly as 1 thought the courtesies of the occasion justified, my disapproval of these statements.

"As to Mr Chappie's outrageous statement that he would ‘as soon prav tor a weasel as a king.' it had and still ha.-, not only my unqualified disapproval, but also my severest condemnation. It i- not only an insult to his Majesty but would be an insult to tlie humblest of his Majesty's .-object"-"