The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, February 14, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 954, 14 February 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, February 14, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

At last night’s Council meeting Cr Ross referred “to an attack ” that had been make in a leading article in this journal on Cr Speirs for his action in demanding the removal of our representative from the Council Chamber, at a recent meeting, when the Council went into committee. Cr Ross stated that the remarks were 11 uncalled for and being a purely personal matter was pure spite.” We appreciate Cr Ross’ loyalty to his confrere, but we emphatically maintain that our remarks were perfectly justifiable, as only one interpretation could be placed upon the councillor’s extraordinary action in having the press representative removed, i.e. that he was unworthy of the Council’s confidence. Cr Ross’ imputation of “spite” and “personal feeling” is absurd. Our remarks were not inspired by any such evil motives, and even if we had a personal grievance against Cr Speirs —which he knows we have not —we would not stoop to use our columns as a weapon against him ; we have not yet stooped to gutter-press methods in dealing with our public men. Press representatives have a duty to perform by the ratepayers, through whom the doings of their trustees are reported, and are entitled to receive that courtesy which such a responsible position demands of all public men.

A public meeting is to be called by the Mayor at an early date for the purpose explaining the loan proposals in connection with the Town Hall and also to submit the plans of the proposed building to the ratepayers. An opportunity will thus be afforded any one to obtain information on any point that requires elucidation. Under the amended Municipal Corporations Act it is not now necessary for the Mayor to convene a meeting prior to a loan poll but in order to make the loan proposals perfectly clear and to give ratepayers an opportunity of recording an intelligent vote, instead ot being misled by the man in the street, the Council have

adopted this course. It is hoped there will be a good attendance at the meeting and that the Council’s action in taking steps to provide the people with their own place of amusement will be unanimously endorsed.