The Mayor and Mr E. M. Smith.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7987, 25 November 1905, Page 2

The Mayor and Mr E. M. Smith.

A PERSONAL EXPLANATION. 'i'i e Mayor, who presided at Mr Tisirli'smeeting on Friday, said tliat by permission of the condiilato he was going lo make a personal (xplanittion. The following question leal bed', submitted to Mr Tisjh before the meeting proceeded : " I see by this morning's paper that with your consent, your chairman, Mr Cock, is to be allowed to use your platform 1.-j address your meeting, not on matters of policy, but on purely personal matters between himself and a certain candidate opposed to you- Is this so, and if so what is vour reason for countenancing such an unusual course, and how do you justify yourself for permitting a personal attack from your platform by a private individual on a fellow candidate for Farlianiontary honours, especially sines your chairman lias not had the eourtesy to request sueli candidate t,, be present to refute such attack, and bow do jon reconcile this with a spirit of mil' play!'' Mr Tiseh : 1 never saw that par in the paper. The Mayor : I absolutely deline to answer the ipiestion. It has nothing to do with Mr Kitssell. (Hear; hear. Applause) Proceeding, the Mayor said that Mr .Smith hud in the House devoted the whole of his time on one occasion in trying to degrade him (the Mayor) in the oyes of the public. The attack was based on the attitude of the Mayor on the question of rating on unimproved value, and his remarks at the public meeting called pursuant to a petition to consider tlte question. Mr Cock pointed out that on that occasion he had said he was favourable to the system, but in view of the creation of a greater New Plymouth by taking in the suburbs he did not think it advisable to adopt the system in this district. Mr Smith had misquoted him in Parliament and warned the people of New Plymouth to watch a man who went back on his state meets the same as.he alleged Mr Cock had done, ami cast other imputations iin his good faith and actions, evidently in view of his (the Mayor's)probabla candidature for Parliament. The sting of the whole business was that Mr Smith had got his remarks into Hansard, with a view, as he stated, of taking copies with him to show people " what sort of a person ho had lodeal with one who said one thing and did another." Mr Cock said he was always willing for the public lo overhaul his actions, and he challenged ciilicism of his public life. He was still a strong supporter of the Government, and his remarks only applied to Mr Smith, whom he would leave for the public to deal with.