THE PREMIER AND THE EXECUTIVE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12571, 14 August 1906, Page 9

THE PREMIER AND THE EXECUTIVE.

Mr C. M. Gray is mildly rebuked for his actio'i in the matter, and the excitement of tho Christchurch public over tho resignation is described as "very Billy and a little unpatriotic." Regarding tho demand for Mr Munro's romoval, the "Times" says:— "Wo hold no brief for Mr Munro, and wo know sufficient of tho conditions of things to realise that ho has not adopted tho best methods of procedure in bis dealings with tho various executive committees. His personal bearing is not warmly defended by even those Christchurch peoplo whose sympathies inclino towards him in the present difficulty. This, however, is quite besides the point. It must be realised at once that to make any material change in tho management of the Exhibition at this most critical period, when all tho loose threads aro being gathered together, will be pregnant with peril." TO THE EDITOR OF " THK PBRSS." Sir,—Now that everyone seems to be tiying to jump on Mr Munro, it behoves one who believes in that gentleman s capabilities to speak up for him. I he firm I am interested in has dono considerable business with the Commissioners, and I havo always found Mr Munro most businesslike, courteous, and ablo to grasp the whole situation with quickness. In fact, it is always ft pleasure to do business with Mr Munro, there is no beating about tho bush h*» sizes up your proposition, and anything ho does not agree with he tells jou so straight from the shoulder. With, regard to his diffemnow with the various committees, I havo also myself always found it most difficult to get any satisfaction out of them. If Mr Munro had boon the Christchurch appointee we should have heard nothing of his arbitrariness and want of tact, but rather his business capabilities would have been lauded to the skies. The late Premier knew what ho «*as doing when ho appointed a "strong" man like Mr Munro as Com-nuss-oner, and it is to bo hoped that the present Premier will follow the lead «i. his late leader, who made very few "-stakes. I think I can fairly claim to be more interested financially than any chairman of the committees, and tho success or otherwise of the Inhibition will affect mc more than any of them. Any alteration in the management of tho Exhibition at this we date would bo extiremelv injudicious, and would certainly, apart from interfering with the inner workings of the concern, seriously affect the attendance of visitors from other parts. Thc3e v?J-! a . TO an y financial inter-cst in the inhibition are, I feel sure, one and ail, content to let Mr Munro ivmain at tho jK-ad of affairs.—l have tho honour to Ss,'.™ r ; sour obedient, servant, PALM Ail QUI MERUIT PER AT."

Mr G. M. Gray, M.H.R., has received the followiiiß reply from the Premier to Wβ telegram asking Sir Joseph to meet the Executive on Thursday evening:— "C. M. Gray, Ksq., M.M.It., Christchurch.—Your telegram re Thursday's Executive m«>otLng. 1 should very much liko to Tri«?t them, but I am afraid I cannot stay ovor Thiiretiay. I am leaving to-night for Chrietchurdi with the

intention of returning on Wednesday night. Pressing work at this juncture makes it very difficult to prolong my stay, but I hope to meet Executive while in Christchurch.—J. G. Ward. A special meeting of tho Executive Committee will, therefore, be held at 11 a.m. to-morrow in the rooms of tho Industrial Association to wait, as a deputation, upon the Premier. The ordinary meeting of the Executive Committee will bo held on -hursday evening in the City Council Chamber.