CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1198, 22 January 1914, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Last week I called upon Mr Robinson, the secretary of the Flaxtnills Employees’ Union. There I met Mr Parry, the organiser, and to both 1 explained my desire and object in giving an address in Foxton, feeling sure I would get their co-operatiou and support. Half jokingly I said that I hoped to make all the member of their union capitalists and owners of their own flax mills. Mr Parry objected to that, as there would be no workers, We shall chance that. As I wrote you, I fixed upon next Friday night for my address, hut asked from the Council the use of the Town Hall free, explaining that there would be no charge for admittance, that the subject ot my address would be “Thrift, and a scheme that would encourage it,” and that I hoped to get the sympathy of the flax mill hands and make them better men and better citizens —purely philanthropic. I personally did not want, and would not take, one sixpence lor private gain it my scheme were adopted.. The Council of Palmerston N. for similar altruistic purposes always give, aud light up, their ball and other rooms without charge. The answer I got was that the Foxton Borough Council declined to give the hall free. That was unexpected, aud so irritated me that for the present at any rate I have abandoned the intention to give an address next Friday night. It It may be said that their desire to do good cannot be very great or the few shilling rent would never stand in their way. It does not aud would uol —but ou principle I want lime to get over the petty annoyance. I am imformed by the Town Clerk that there is a minute ou the book ot the Council that prevents them granting the use free. I would dare respectfully to suggest that as the minute was their owu making, it might be rescinded or amended with advantage, and in the greatness of their soul grant to the Mayor (if they have confidence in him) that under exceptional circumstance the exercise oi bis discretion as I believe they do here. If that were done many more lecturers you would get and the town all the more intellectually benefited. —I am, etc., Robt, Gardner. Palmerston N., Jan. 20, 1914.