ECHO PROM WAIHI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 168, 3 December 1912, Page 4

ECHO PROM WAIHI.

•SUGGESTED OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. TCUXKI) DOWN BY COUNTY COUNCIL. Should employees of local bodies be required to swear loyalty to the King and the Union Jack? The Taranaki County Council had the question before it; yesterday, ot; receipt of the following resolution from the Waihi Borough Council:— lhat it be a condition of all future employment 011 the Borough Council works that each and every person employed by the Borough Council must sign a declaration affirming his or her loyalty to the King and his Union Jack, and that none other than those affirming their loyalty to *he King and the Flag shall bo employed in any capacity on tfie borough works, and that it be an instruction to the town clerk to forward copies of this resolution to all local bodies throughout the Dominion inviting cooperation." In an explanatory letter accompanying the resolution, the clerk to the Waihi Borough Council said that his Council realised that in many quarters it might be considered far-fetched and quite superfluous, but the trend of events at Waihi went to prove what a condition of things arose where the doctrines of socialism and an adherence to the principles of the ■'Red Flag" found a footing unchecked. In communities where these were unknown it could -not be realised to what lengths the followers of the Red Flag were prepared to go, but the incident of

TEARING UP THE UNION JACK in the main street of Waihi might be quoted as an example. Ho urged that this matter receive the serious attention of the Council, and pointed out that no one enjoying the inestimable advantages of living under the Union Jack should raise any objection, except on the point that his or her loyalty was apparently questioned.

The resolution received very short shrift.

Do you wish to take any action with this chairman, and, after a momentary pause, "Well, next please." Councillors nodded acquiescence with the chairman, and passed on to other business.

Incidentally, it is interesting to note that some of the casual laborers in the employ of the Council are said to be Waihi strikers, and according to the county inspector (Mr. R. W. Bond) are excellent workers.