"TOO HIGH-HANDED'

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 10 March 1927, Page 7

"TOO HIGH-HANDED'

ASHBURTON FOLK'S GRIEVANCE „ i RAILWAY AND ROYALTY. Indignation at the exclusion of iocal body representatives and their ! wives from the A-sTxburton railway platform to receive the Duke and Duchess of York upon their arrival, was expressed at the Ashburton j County Council meeting.The subject was introduced by Mr W. T. Lill, who said: "I am not altogether pleased with the attitude of the Railway Department in disaliowing the local-body representatives to be on the railway station when the Royal train arrives. I understand from the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) tliat tlie Reception Committee wanted to hold the welcome in the band rotunda, in Baring Square West, but this ieould not be done because the Railway Department would not allow the Duke to alight from the train opposite the square, on account of there being no ..platform there, or in case he should sprain his ankle or something else. Every town is not so well sifuated as Ashburton in having such a suitable place as the band rotunda in the square so close to the station, for the condpcting of such a function. The excluding of the representatives from the station is casting a slur onthe people of Ashburton and we should enter a strong protest. I also see that the department is objecting to newspapers sending reporters, others than those on the papers in the district in which the reception is being held. I do not see why other papers should no.t send representatives to the various functions if they . desire. The department has lost its head because Royalty is touring the Dominion. I move that wre do not approve of the high-handed method that the Railway Department is adopting." • Mr W. G. Gallagher said that since the last meeting of the Royal Reception Committee, he helieved the subject had been taken out of the hands of the Railway Department by the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr R. Houston: I was at the meeting of that committee and we don't know whether the District Railway Traffic Manager (Mr H. Chapman) or the heads of his department, were to blame for excluding the iocal-body representatives from the station. Perhaps they thought that, the number was too great. Mr H. E. Jessep: Who was it, at the Reception Committee meeting, that. said that the eouncillors were undesirables and ~were not allowed on the platform? It was said by somebody, was it not? I consider we are fit and proper British subjeets to be allowed anywhere. (Laughter.) \ Mr W. G. Gallagher: I don't rememher anything about that. Mr J. Moore said that the Railway Department shouldered a great ,responsibility in conveying Royalty through the Dominion and it was quite natur^l that they desired to reduce all risks to a minimum. It was probably hecause of this that they were confining all receptions within the precincts of their own property. The .department's actions might seem a little harsh, but, if the members gave the matter a little more consideration, they might see the department's point of view more clearly. Mr R. Houston: What about the 70 constables? Mr H. J. Crothers: Are the county eouncillors to be presented to their Royal Highnesses? A voice: We are excluded now. (Laughter.) Mr Crothers said that if all the county eouncillors were to be presented, there would be not time for the Royal party to leave the station. The chairman (Mr A. Horsey) said he did not think anything they could do would alter the position, although he did not agree with the attitude of the department. He thought that the best place for the reception would he the rotunda. The County Clerk (Mr C. -Kelly) : I think the proposed site will be quite satisfactory. The Duke has to inspect all the [children and this will afford everybody an opportunity of seeing him. The chairman. You did not move a motion, did you, Mr Lill? Mr Lill (disgust6dly) : Oh! It's no good. (Laughter.)