ANTI-MILITARISTS AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 39, 1 December 1911, Page 12

ANTI-MILITARISTS AT CHRISTCHURCH.

The following correspondence has passed between Mr. H. A. Atkinson and General Godley : — To General Godley, Ghristchurch. Sir, —At the Addington Show Grounds on Thursday afternoon I was assisting in the distribution of literature issued by the National Peace Council, and was subsequently ejected from the grounds-. As there is an apparent discrepancy between my statement of what occurred and a statement made by you to a "Lyttelton Times" reporter, I wish to state to you personally that Mr. Pemberton, the secretary of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, came to mc, and showing one of our leaflets, said, "General Godley objects to these being distributed and has stopped the competitions in consequence. The committee has met, and decided you have to cloee tojj." I would like to know whether this is a statement of fact in so far as regards yottr part in the matter, and would appreciate a reply.—l am, yours faithfully, H. A. Atkinson, November 10, 1911. Department of Befence. November 13, 1911. Sir,—Your letter of 10th inst. reply I have to inform yon that I think there must have been some misunderstanding as regards my position in the matter. It is quite true that I objected to the dissemination of antimilitarist literature in the show grounds concurren\bly with military competitions, and pointed out the incongraity and illogicality of the two things taking place side by side. Bait I left the matter entirely in the hands of the eommiitee, anrl my connection with it ended there. The military competitions were not stopped. I made no request far your was not in any way .eotisulfced about it, and was only informed of it after it had taken place.— Yours faithfully, A. C. Godley, MajorGeneral.