COAST DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28930, 25 June 1959, Page 14

COAST DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

Leader Denies Any Discourtesy

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, June 24.

Replying to the statement made in Wellington yesterday by the Minister of Works (Mr Watt) that he had never met a more discourteous deputation than the one which waited upon him in Greymouth on Saturday evening, the chairman of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce (Mr S. E. Browne) stated today. “I was surprised to read the outburst from both the Minister and Mr Kent. I would emphatically deny any discourtesy on my part or on the part of the other representatives from my organisation.

“The deputation was in attendance at the time arranged, and when the Minister arrived at about 7.25 p.m. without the member for the district, he apologised for his late arrival. When Mr Kent appeared a few minutes later, his demeanour and remarks antagonised one or two representatives, who expressed their feelings on the matter. “Although leading the deputation, I regarded Mr Kent as being in 'charge of the meeting. If, however, Mr Watt feels upset, I am prepared to apologise for any unparliamentary procedure which occurred, but in all fairness I suggest that the trouble was directly attributable to the attitude of Mr Kent.

“Although Mr Kent has indicated that he is finished with us, I suggest that this indicates that his activity for the district will continue on the same basis as heretofore.”