THE GUNS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19332, 9 June 1928, Page 14

THE GUNS.

.— *- —- PROTEST AGAINST REMOVAL. STATEMENT BY R.S.A. PRESIDENT. In the course of a statement regarding the attitude of the R.S.A. on the proposal to remove the guns from the river-bank, Mr G. W. Lloyd, president of the Association, said: — "We suggest that if the City Council is determined to remove the guns employees., of tho Council or the unemployed should not be asked to do the work, but that the Councillors who voted for their removal should carry out the job themselves. "A photograph could then be taken of this event, so that for all time exservicemen should be able to see how a certain section of the Labour Councillors respected the wishes of the Returned Soldiers' Association in connexion with the matter." In March last, said Mr Lloyd, a deputation from the executivo of the-Asso-ciation discussed with the Mayor in a confidential manner the possibility or some- agreement being reached with regard to the question, and up to the present they had guarded that confidence. The" Mayor- assured them at that time that they would be advised officially when, any definite decision was arrived at. "Evidently individual Councillors have been. supplying information to the newspapers as to the disposal'of the guns," ho added, "so this (Friday) morning another deputation waited on the Mayor, who stated that a proposal would be placed before the Council at its meeting on Monday night that' the guns be offered to the Government, which would undertake to place them on a section in Hereford street, opposite the Police Station, where they would still view to the public. | Removal Opposed. "The Association is totally opposed to the removal of the guns at all, and seeing that if this latest proposal is carried out they will still be on view to the public, we consider that it is merely splitting straws. We take it as an insult to the. returned men right throughout New Zealand that the Council cannot see fit to hold these trophies of war. <'However, a petition has been prepared, and with the sanction of the Mayor an opportunity is to.be given to the public to sign it. It asks that the Council rescind all motions m the minutes of the Council in connexion with the proposed removal, and further that if the Council cannot see its way to leave the guns where they are at present, to postpone further action until a deputation from the R.S.A. waits "The" petition will be presented to the Council on Monday and we are-desirous of convincing the Council that in.addition to the returned soldiers, publi feeling generally is very strong against the removal of the war trophies;" Mr A. Morten Interviewed. " Mr Lloyd also stated that accompanied by the secretary of the Association (Mr E F Willoox) he interviewed Mr Arthur Morten at his residence at Mount Pleasant yesterday morning. Mr Morten stated that he had received no correspondence -from . the Council- with reference to .his f taking over the guns, hut in. 1920,.before the guns were' placed in .Victoria square, he had made an application for them, and lately when, he saw that there was a possibility of the guns being destroyed he made a further application. His sole, object was to safeguard these trophies of. war. He stated emphatically that he .did not wish to see the guns removed, but rather than that they should be destroyed he was willing to place them in his garden until such time as a subsequent Council might desire to replace them in the City. ■'. , With reference to rumours that the guns might he shifted from Victoria square before Monday night, Mr Lloyd said. that : the Mayor had given them an assurance that there was absolutely no truth in the rumour, and that no action would be taken until the Council had discussed the matter. . The Mayor had suggested that a public meeting should be called by the Association for Saturday night for the purpose of discussing the matter, but it was pointed out to him that it would • not be possible to carry out the suggestion.- .■ Text of the Petition. The petition drawn up by the R.S.A., was available for signature from noon yesterday at. the tramway shelter! in Cathedral square, the Beresford. cor- . ner, Ballantyne's corner, and Strange's corner, and was very freely signed Following is the text : "We,, the undersigned, each being a voter jn the City of Christchurch, do hereby protest against.: the proposed' removal of the war trophies' from the City of. Christchurch, and pray that the Mayor and Councillors rescind all motions in the minutes of the Council in connexion with such proposed removal, and further pray that if the Mayor and . Councillors cannot see, their way to comply with the above that any further action be postponed until such time as a deputation.from the undersigned wait upon the Council and place their' reasons before them." Up till 8. o'clock last liMit, 3026 signatures', to the'petition had been obtained, and more will be solicited today and on Monday,