“PULPIT FOR POLITICS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 462, 18 September 1928, Page 16

“PULPIT FOR POLITICS”

PT. CHEVALIER BATHS LOAN ATTACKED MINISTER ACCUSED ♦ "The Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher had no right to use his pulpit to support the proposal for the loan,” said Mr. A. Hall Skelton at Point Chevalier last evening, where he addressed an open-air meeting about the City Council's proposal to borrow £22,500 for the erection of swimming bathe at Point Chevalier. Mr. G. Bell presided. Mr. Skelton said the City Council’s proposal would eventually result in the expenditure* of about £40,000. The council baths at Parnell had been closed last summer, when the Health Department had pronounced them a breeding ground for the germs of typhoid, and the Shelly Beach buths had been operated at a loss of about £ 5,000. If the City Council were allowed to erect baths at Point Chevalier there would be a further loss, and also a marked increase in rates. In the past few years rates had jumped up by 400 to 500 per cent, in the city, and a great deal of the unemployment in Auckland to-day was due to civic over-spending. "I cannot understand Mr. Lionel Fletcher, a minister of the Gospel, using his pulpit to support the scheme,** said Mr. Skelton. "He is the only parson in Auckland who has used the pulpit for politics. He is a political agitator.** "He can preach emotional neurotics and earn his salary, but he has no right to take advantage of his position to tell people how to vote,’’ commented Mr. Skelton. "Point Chevalier,” continued Mr. Skelton, "had one of the finest beaches round Auckland, and baths would have very little chance of making profit. “Dixieland, Limited, wishes to make Point Chevalier the aquatic centre of Auckland,” said Mr. Skelton. "They .were prepared to furnish modern baths, but some of the council decided that if a private firm could run baths at a profit, the council could do so. That Is why you are facing this poll.” "But the crowning point about this baths proposal is. that the City Council’s experts, in evidence before the Royal Commission, stated that the baths could only be run at a loss,” continued the speaker. "And yet we find members of the council cheerfully undertaking to throw away more of the ratepayers* money. We have borrowed at least five years beyond our time and we have borrowed for extravagance. I believe that the Mayor of Auckland would be very glad to see the loan proposal defeated.” Mr. Tiarks, ex-Mayor of Avondale, also spoke, and maintained that municipal administration had resulted in a muddle on every occasion. He strongly criticised Mr. Lionel Fletcher’s suggestion that unless the baths were administered by the City Council, it was questionable whether the dictates of decorum would be observed. , He concluded by saying that Avondale residents regretted joining up with

the city, but it was now too late. The loan for the baths should not be raised. It would be the height of foolishness, he said, to give an incompetent City Council permission to waste public money on the scheme. Votes of thanks were accorded both speakers. MR. LUNDON’S ATTACK The proposed baths loans, which will be submitted to the ratepayers tomorrow, were the subject of the strongest adverse comment by Mr. J. R. Lundon at a public meting in the Town Hall last evening. “Getting back to Dixieland: It is a terrible place.” said the speaker. “They dance there. I have never heard of dancing leading to moral ruin, but the Rev. Lionel Fletcher says: ‘Vote for Dixieland baths—but pay for them yourselves.’ ” He asserted that Shelly Beach baths were situated within 100 yards of a filthy sewage discharge. At this stage Cr. Brinsden, in the circle, rose to a point of order. This led to uproar, and cries of “Rub it In. Jerry.” Mr. Lundon: Cr. Brinsden has told you I am not fit to associate with councillors. I can only say that Ido not want to associate with some of the councillors. “As regards the £22,500 for Point Chevalier, they must think we are lunatics. I have not spoken to Dr. Rayner foi; the last 20 years, but as a business man he stands high in the community. He is going to be one of the controllers of Auckland in the future.

Voice: His money, you mean. Mr. Lundon: He is an able man with men and money. He offers to put up the best baths in the Dominion, with any supervision you like, without a copper of expense to the ratepayers. The council, headed ley Cr. Brinsden as chairman of the Parks and Baths Committee, says “No, and we will utilise all the form of the law to prevent you.” The baths loan started at £ 14,000 and rose to £22,500 In several stages. The Lord knows what the baths will cost if you are foolish enough to give them a start.