"UNFAIR CRITICISM."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 10 July 1928, Page 7

"UNFAIR CRITICISM."

POWER BOARD WRANGLE.

MOTIOX.

GIVES REASONS.

"The whole thing is a storm la S teacup. It is this sort of unfair criticism that keeps so many men out of public life. Personally, I care not a jot for public criticism, but I do object to statements that unfairly cast reflections on honourable men."

This statement was made this morning by Mr. J. W. Hayden, chairman of the Waitemata Electric Power Board, in commenting upon the heated debate that took place at yesterday's meeting of the board relative to 'allegations made by Mr. T. La in on t that gifts had been received from contracting firms. In reference to the notice of motion which I refused to accept from Mr. Lamont in March last, as I explained to the board, I refused to do so on legal advice. This was not because I or any member of the board had anything to hide, but because the legal opinion pointed out the undesirability of the board discussing and entering upon its records a motion which by innuendo may impute a grave act of impropriety to some person or firm not designated in tha motion," added Mr. Hayden. -Why I told Mr. Lamont that I could not allow the motion to proceed was because I had to protect him on account of the following clause in the legal opinion: 'There is the possibility that it might involve the members "of the board personally in an action for defa mat ion of character.'"

"The whole subject matter of Mr. Lamont's remarks refers to a case of twelve bottles of liquid refreshment, which one of the members received from a relation about two years ago, and which in bis goodness of heart be brought along and shared with the ten fortunate members. He offered a wee drop to Mr. Lamont among others, who informed me that it was awful stuff to drink, or to take, I forget vhich. and I told him in plain words what I thought ®ft not the bottle, as T ?*ti sorrv to say that mine disappeared—whether It went to Devonport or not F s ra unable to say. However, this burning liquid has been burning Mr. Lamont ever since, and on one or. two occasions when he does not get all his own way in debate, he has made threats that he will tell the world about this awful bribery and corruption.

"As the bottle intended for mvself, as I have said, disanpeared. T cannot, of course, say for certain what the contents were. But to be serious, there la not the slightest foundation for the suggestion that either members or staff have ever, to my knowledge, received any gift of any kind from anv firm whatsoever who are seeking business with the board. T n fairness to Mr. Lamont he is not in good health, and also holds extreme views on subjects which do not come within th* provinos of a power board to discuss."