STRATFORD PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 20, 22 September 1915, Page 5

STRATFORD PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

MR RICHARDS’ EXPLANATIONS '.,|W

[To The Editor Stratford Post.] Sir,—The enclosed letter is se| explanatory and I shall be pleased i| you will publish same in order that my action in the matter may be understood by the public.—l am, etc.', ' J. B. RICHARDS. Stratford, 21st Sept., 1915. The Chairman, Stratford Patriotic Society. Dear Mr Kirkwood—The request : conveyed to me by yourself and Mi I Boon to resume the duties of Hon-! 'orary Secretary to the Stratford Pa? 1 triotic Society has had my carefill; i consideration and I beg to advise you I that I consider it my duty to decline! I This decision does not proceed from any spleen or sense of injured dignity in me but from a. firm conviction I that harmony and unity are of primary importance to the objects in view. As chairman of the Patriotic Society you are will aware that what abilities I possess were fully and unsparingly extended during the twelve months I occupied the position, and that however well or ill I fulfilled the duties T was not capable of doing better. The antagonism towards me display-’ ed by word and vote at the time of the public meeting held in August, -1 will not discuss etbicallv because I am convinced that no individual should claim attention to his own hurts—real or fancied—in such grave matters. T refer to it only as a link in a chain of reason. If my best and unstinted efforts during that strenuous year result in discord and dissension bofr can I reasonably hope to attain the necessary measure of harmony and unity which ?s‘ so essential. However reluctant 1 may lie to relinguish the duties, I do so cheerfully, hoping that ray action'may tend to abolish all inclination to discoid and that by so doing I am best sei ving the interests of our sick and " ounded soldiers who well deserve the utmost that whole-hearted, unselfish and united effort can provide. Yours very truly, J. B. Richards.