THE MAYOR AND PETROL RESTRICTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 72, 21 September 1940, Page 10

THE MAYOR AND PETROL RESTRICTIONS

(To the Editor.) Sir, —It is characteristic of the Mayor to become bombastic when the atmbsphere is suitable, but like all "big boys" he sulks and seeks refuge in abuse when challenged. On this occasion he is running true to form. His attempts on this occasion to indulge in personalities carry with them their own condemnation. The facts of this controversy are, that, at the Motor Trades Conference j a lot of hot air was indulged in and j as usual the Government was subjected j to a lashing, towards which Mr. Hislop! contributed. After saying his little piece in his usual "yes-no" manner, he introduced a matter affecting City Council business and, by inference, linked it up to the control of petrol. He then went on to say (in connection with the electricity control): "I have a pretty good idea that the Wellington City Council will follow the example of the Kuku farmers and say, 'We are not going to do it.'." This was duly reported.

The Labour Councillors objected to this ridiculous statement because: (1) We do not agree with anything savouring of subversion. (2) We believe nothing should be *said or done by direct statement or innuendo, to weaken pur determination to win the war. (JO We objected to the Mayor linking up the council with the Kuku yeomen without consultation.

This is the plain statement of fact, and the Mayor can indulge in as much abuse as he likes, or can take command of the Kuku platoon if he so desires, but he should remember that the council consists of sixteen representatives of the citizens and we are not going to be used as a stick to flog the Government, or to fan propaganda in the interests of sectional trading, contrary to the general interests of the people.—l am, ette.,

P. M. BUTLER, City Councillor