USE OF NAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 195, 18 August 1936, Page 8

USE OF NAME.

PRIVATE MEETING.

VISIT OF MINISTER.

MR. HGLDSWCRTH PROTESTS

NO AUTHORITY GIVEN.

Strong exception to his name being included among others mentioned as beingassociated in the meeting with the Minister of Finance, the Hon. Walter Xasli, on Saturday evening is taken by Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, chairman of the Auckland Electric Power Board. This morning Mr. Holdsworth stated that not only was he not present at the meeting, but also that lie did not support the representations made. "In the report published yesterday of the meeting, at. which the Rev. A. J. Greenwood acted as chairman," said Mr. Holdsworth, "when the Minister said he had no objection to the meeting being open to the Press, Mr. Greenwood is reported to have said that as a request had been made to the Prime Minister for a private discussion the request had to be honoured. Evidently it was immediately honoured by Mr. Greenwood giving a' lengthly report of the meeting to the Press. In his statement he said, Sve have representative men among us whose names stand for something in the community," then among several names mine is mentioned. Readers would conclude by this (Statement that 1 was present at the meeting or supported the proposals placed before the Minister. I wish to publicily state I was not present at the meeting nor do I support the representations made to Mr. Nash.

"Mr. Greenwood bad no right or authority to use my name on that occasion, as several days before I went to some length to explain to liiin llic reasons why I could not be associated with him or take part in the meeting. "Several months ago when urged by a deputation to link up with a social credit organisation I made it quite clear that life" was too short 'to waste ti'r.c on an issue of that sort. I have always received credit for having the coinagej of my convictions, but I strongly "resent my name being used in advocating something in which I have no faith. Although I was assured that the deputation would not be a social credit one but composed of citizens of every political belief, I definitely decided to take no part »or the two following reasons: — 'Verbal Duel.' "An opportunity had been afforded me of hearing a discussion by those who were taking part in presenting the proposals to tlie Minister. It consisted largely -if a verbal duel between two member.? on their particular beliefs, and during «,he. debate challenges were freely issued to take the platform to decide the question. What I heard and witnessed confirmed my decision not to take part. The other reason was because several weeks ago I was approached by an Auckland gentleman in whom 1 had every confidence. He explained that Mr. Brian Duniiingham, a young Auekj hinder, had returned from abroad and | had strong credentials from the London Chamber of Commerce? a committee of International Rotary and many other large organisations. t As Mr. Duniiingham had important information, which ho wished to convey to the Premier, he was leaving that afternoon for Wellington, and in order to assist him it would bo helpful to get a letter signed by some Auckland businessmen. Owing to t.ne rush the letter had not been prepared, but a slip of paper was produced with the names of some well-known men *ipon it. As Mr. Duniiingham was well known to me, and carrying out a lifelong principle to help a young man if at all "possible, I signed as W. -T. Holdsworth, and not as chairman of the Power Board —that was added afterwards (out not by me), with a few other additions. I had an opportunity of seeing Mr. Duniiingham .just after his return frj'ii Wellington, and he informed me he could not see the Prime Minister, but Vnl taken the matter up with the Minister of Finance. Mr. Nash, however, said that what Mr. Dunningliani proposed was not in keeping with the Governments policy.

A Second Letter. "A few days afterwards T was stopped in Queen Street l>y the gentleman who had first approached me. and he said they were going to redraft the letter. Bearing in mind what Mr. Dunningham had said about tlio first not conforming with the Government's policy, I again signed the paper bearing the names of some well-known Auckland men. Xo mention was made of an open letter, hut some days later I learned that it had been circulated, and contained a lot of Douglas Credit propaganda. I immediately raised a strong protest, and endeavoured to have my name removed. I gave 110 authority for my name to be introduced in connection with the deputation to the Hon. W. Xash. Xo matter what merits a cause may have, it will not get very far if methods of this kind are adopted."