AN UNTRUE STATEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12615, 27 November 1926, Page 4

AN UNTRUE STATEMENT

RESIGNATION OF INSPECTOR WHAT INQUIRY REVEALED PUBLISHED REPORT DENIED Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, November 26. A statement in a Christchurch newspaper, in which Mr J. L. Doherty, a former traffic inspector in the employ of the Auckland City Council, was reported to have stated he resigned his position because he would not tolerate Gerjnan-made gloves on point duty on Armistice Day, was the subject of an inquiry by the Mayor, Mr G. Baildon, Doherty was reported to have said he considered it a mockery to be forced to wear German gloves while observing two minutes’ silence in memory of those who gave their lives at the war. “It was only natural,” tjie report continued, “that I should complain at the outset, but what was the use? There were other returned men who complained, but it did no good. “Then came Armistice Day, with its memories, and I was asked to sTajhd at the intersection of two of Auckland’s principal streets and observe two minutes’ silence. I was asked to stand there with those memories and those German gloves. It was asking too much of me. I refused, and I tore the gloves from my hands. It was mockery in my eyes. There was only one course open to me—to resign—and I have resigned.” “ENTIRELY UNFOUNDED" When the truth of these statements was investigated by the Mayor yesterday Doherty was present. In a signed statement he denied having given such reasons for retiring from the employ of the City Council, and declared the report was entirely without foundation. He added that his reason for retiring was entirelv different from that given in the article.