“POLITICAL MOVE”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 301, 16 September 1936, Page 11

“POLITICAL MOVE”

Palmerston North City Council MR. J. HODGENS’S REPLY TO CRITICS •It seems to me that this is a political move, and colour is lent to that assumption in view of the fact that I am the only Labour representative on the council,” said Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P. for Palmerston North, commenting last night on the decision of the Palmerston North City Council to depose him from the position of deputy-mayor and remove him from two council committees. “I am somewhat surprised to learn of the extremes to which the majority of the council went on Tuesday night,” continued Mr. Hodgens. “My resentment, as expressed in a telegram, was the result of the charges levelled at me by Councillor Tennent at a meeting of the council some weeks ago, when he made certain allegations against me in connection with the engagement of council employees. “The report, as published, gives only one side of the case, and in order that the public may learn all the details I would welcome any Supreme Court action that might be taken against me, as that would give me the opportunity of letting the public know how the inquiry was conducted, how the witnesses were called, and how the questions put to them were framed. “I have noticed since the general election that certain councillors have shown a marked political hias against me.”