MAYORAL DUTIES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20993, 21 December 1939, Page 6

MAYORAL DUTIES

MASS MEETING ECHO PROTEST NOT SUPPORTED “I wish to protest at the manner in which the Mayor (Mr H. D. Caro) carried out his duties as chairman of the mass meeting held at Claudelands this month,” said Mr C. Croall at a meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council last night. “I was fully in accord with his opening remarks that he would not allow the meeting to develop into a political controversy. I have no quarrel with the remarks of the first three speakers, but the last two, Messrs A. J. Sinclair and Gainor Jackson, did nothing but talk anti-Labour Government propaganda. “I suggest,” added Mr Croall “that the Mayor was so carried away with his enthusiasm with the ideals of the speakers that he forgot his duties as chairman, and I wish to protest at the way he carried out those duties.” Mr C. Lafferty: I would rather this had not come up to-night— Voices: Hear, hear! Sit down. “However, all I want to say is that I hope that no future meeting casting such a reflection on Hamilton is allowed,” continued Mr Lafferty. “I am sorry that Mr Caro as Mayor presided at this meeting, and I hope that he never wears the Mayoral robes to preside at such a meeting again.” Use Own Discretion “In reply to Mr Croall I wish to say this: 1 take it that a chairman of a meeting is entitled to use his own discretion as to what is right and what is wrong,” replied Mr Caro, amid cheers and applause. “To Mr Lafferty,” added the Mayor, “I would say that as Mayor of Hamilton it is my duty to preside at meetings if asked to do so by the citizens of the town. I received a letter addressed to the Mayor of Hamilton asking me to preside, and it is my prerogative to welcome any important visitors, including Ministers of the Crown, irrespective of the party to which they belong, to Hamilton. This I did.”

The Mayor’s remarks were received with applause and Mr T. G. Reynolds added: “Continue to do your duty in the same way.”