COUNTY COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9649, 4 July 1919, Page 5

COUNTY COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE.

"FOOLING THE PUBLIC."

At .the County Council meeting to-, day, a telegram was read from : the Minister of Internal Affairs confirming the information published in the "Guardian" of yesterday in regard to the alteraion in the dates for 'holding the-peace celebrations. - The Chairman (Mr J. . Cairns) said that this was giving the public very short notice.

Cr. W .T. Lill said he considered the public tad been fooled on this matter by the authorities, and the Council should have something to say by way of protest. The Chairman, remarked that the authorities had been chopping and shuffling all along. It was only the other day that it was intimated that the celebrations would be held in. August, and now a few days later, we receive this alteration. He did not think there was orach-good in. discussing this mattefj «S the Ministers apparently did not knotf what they were doing, and thought every Jowl 1 body was the same. (Laughter). Cr. Lill said he had only just posted a letter to Otago for a consignment of fruit for the celebrations in hie locality, anticipating they would beheld in August. He did not know now,, whether he would get the fruit in time for the altered date. The Council should telegraph to the Government intimating that until the latter could definitely make up its mind no celebrations would be held in this district. He considered tie authorities were just fooling the public, and a telegram should be sent stating that the Council strongly resented this shuffling, and that the dates in August should be adhered to. . ... Chairman, vsaid the alteration would mean great inconvenience in the country districts, where certain arrangemente had been made. It would also mean a lo&s of money owing to arrangements being interfered with. Cr. A. Drummond said it was only a waste of money holding the celebrations. All the actual joy displayed at the armistice had been taken out. ot the celebrations, and there was only the cold embers left. Cr. Lill said the hearty shout was gone, and public were now being fooled. . , Cr. Reid said it was the wish ot the authorities at Home that the altered dates should be observed. There was.no doubt that the spontaneous enthusiasm displayed at the armistice could not be revived in: the forthcoming celebrations. He was. sorry that the days had been curtailed, as he wotikl have preferred to see something done by way of a children's day, to impress the importance'of the event upon them._ The Chainrian said he did not thmk it would be much good objecting., as the authorities would take no notice. It was then decided to let the matter drop.