WALKING OR RIDING?

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 164, 11 July 1919, Page 5

WALKING OR RIDING?

THE PEACE PROCESSION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COUNCILLORS. Last night the Deputy Mayor reported progress to hie Council regarding the peace celebrations, and he said that wlisrc promises were not soing , illuminated, and where assistance in the general festival "was not given, it was the intention of the committee to seek donations. Already three donations had been secured from the Northern Roller Mille, £150; the Brett Printing Co., £100; and Wilson and Horton, £100. This afternoon the full details ol the celebrations will be settled definitely by the committee, and Mr Entrican, in saying this, briefly outlined the arrangements that have co far been made. Some time ago the Auckland Tram-j ways Union intimated "that when the; celebrations came on each member should be given one day of holiday. But the Mayor has made an alternative proposal that has been approved by the Public Services Committee. This is! that the same arrangemente in regard to ' The 6ervice can be run continuously 1 through the festival, and the men en-; gaged can receive time and a-half over the three days. Also, if this is done, three extra daye shall be added to the annual leave of each man. The only discussion on the subject came up when Mr. Entrican mentioned arrangements that had been made for the Councillors. "Opinions were about evenly divided as to whether the members should ride or walk, but Mr Entrican said the question had already been decided for them, and cars would be provided if wanted. "I, for one, will certainly not ride, 1 promise you that," said Mr G. Baildon. "1 will not ride while the boys who went away to fight have to walk." Other members held the same view, but others ajjfcin, Mr Xerheny among them, said they would ride iftthey were given the chance. Eventually the question of riding or walking was left over, and the chairman asked who would participate in the big procession. There was" no diversity ol opinion about this, and all responded. AT NORTHJCOTE.

When the _peace celebration arrangements were- under consideration last night at the Northcote Borough Council, the question of the members of the| Council walking in the procession was I raised. The .Mayor (Mr A. E. Greenslade) said he had, in common with all the membcre of the Xorthcote Council, felt that the elected representatives ot the people should not recline in motor cars in the procession while the returned soldiers walked. He had in consequence inquired into the position, and had been told that the matter had. been decided by the Peace Celebration Committee some time ago that members of local bodi'je should be accommodated in motor vehicles, and as recently as Wednesday last the same answer had been given to the proposal that members should walk in the procession. He believed a better display could be secured by walking in the procession, and, as the Councillors had pointed out. was more in keeping with the democratic spirit of the times. The Mayor was empowered to endeavour to secure the Marshal's consent for members of local bodies to walk in the procession to the Domain, in which case the motor vehicles secured should be utilised for the conveyance to the Domain of invalided Northcote soldier: and representatives of the ladies' activities in the district.