PROTEST MADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 190, 25 May 1934, Page 2

PROTEST MADE

REMARKS BY A MINISTER.

PALMERSTON NORTH INDIGNANT (Per Press Association). , PALMERSTON NORTH, May 24. A meeting of business people to-night not only decided to support the relief workers in their decision not to go to a tree-planting/camp on the Kaingaroa plains, but also carried a motion protesting against the disparaging remarks of the Minister of Employment made here on Tuesday, which it is considered reflected unon the Mayor, leading citizens and representatives of the churches. The Mayor stated that Mr Hamilton gave the .city no credit for. its relief organisations, no credit for the money spent by the City Council on relief works (£30,371 was paid last year in wages), no credit for the splendid re-, spouse of the citizens to all appeals for money, food and clothing for relief purposes, and/ino credit to the R.S.A. for their accomplishments in the same direction. The Minister had not come to give credit, but to 1 criticise and ridicule. It was nothing short of impudence for a Minister of the Crown to come here and publicly castigate men who were his superiors in every way. • These men included 1 the chairman of the Hospital Board, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, City Councillors, and ministers of churches.