Reception to Prime Minister

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33096, 11 December 1972, Page 16

Reception to Prime Minister

Sir, —The political views of members should not intrude into the Council chambers, and the exclusion of certain members from the Mayor’s guest list because of National sympathies deserves censure and is contrary to democratic principles. Although it is the Mayor’s perogative to choose his guests, he has acted like a child in quoting previous instances involving the exclusion of certain councillors from Mayoral receptions. The party system in local government is detrimental to sound local body legislation and creates an antagonistic atmosphere, as witnessed in the controversy over the Games venue. The sooner we elect a council comprising independent members, and cut this eternal bickering, the sooner we will have sane local government.—Yours, R. J. GLEN. December 8, 1972.

Sir, —I find it hard to believe that our Mayor, in his wisdom and representing the people of Christchurch as a whole—as he has so often assured us he does—should see fit to invite only the Labour Councillors to his Mayoral reception for our new Prime Minister. It is. to me, incredible that a man of such high office should be so downright lacking in the art of good public relations as Mr Pickering is assumedly proving himself to be. It is quite obvious that this “reception” is nothing more nor less than a mutual slap on the back among the Labour hierarchy of this city. But the people as a whole, of all political

factions, have had their fill of petty, and somewhat childish, relationships within our Council between the Labour and Citizen representatives. As ye sow, so shall ye reap.—Yours, etc., LONG-STANDING RATEPAYER. December 8, 1972.