BISHOP LISTON'S SPEECH.

Evening Star, Issue 17927, 24 March 1922, Page 6

BISHOP LISTON'S SPEECH.

AUCKLAND COUNCIL’S CONDEMNATION. CLOSING AVENUES AGAINST REPETITIONS. [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 23. The City Council to-night passed the following resolution: That the council, solemnly and_ sincerely affirming its loyalty and allegiance to King George and to the Empire, deplores the disloyal and seditious speech delivered by Dr Liston, Homan Catholic Coadjutor Bishop of Auckland, in the Town Hall, and resolves; 1. That the council hereby records its condemnation of the said lecture, and declares its opinion that no person capable of making the statements reported to have been made by Dr Liston is worthy of British citizenship. 2. That the speech bo brought under the notice of tho New Zealand Government with a view to its taking appropriate action, 3. That those concerned in the hire of tho. Town Hall, and the Auckland Domnin in connection with St. Patrick's Day celebrations bo notified that until their sentiments expressed in the speech and evidently in the proceedings are disavowed,, and an assurance given against any repetition of such statements, neither of these facilities will be available for tho organisation '"under whoso auspices' and on whose behalf the bishop claimed he spoke. 4. That the city solicitor bo instructed to redraft the terms for the hire of the Town Hall and the by-laws governing the use of tho Domain, to redraft the by-laws relating to parks and open spaces# and consider the council's powers as regards the licensing of public halls so as to require all proceedings to be conducted in a lawful and constitutional manner, without disloyalty, sedition, or other conduct invidious to the realm or

constituting an affront to the citizens

The resolution was opposed by Or Bloodworth, who moved four amendments, all of which failed to find a, seconder. Mr Bloodworth said the mayor was right in writing to Bishop Liston, Lot. should have awaited his reply before publishing the statement. The motion went further than the council should go. Tie claimed that stronger speeches would have gone unnoticed in Great Britain, and ho pleaded for freedom of speech here.

REV. J. J. NORTH’S VIEW,

At the centenary rally in the Durham Street* (Christchurch) Methodist Church on Wednesday night the Rev. .1. J. North referred to the largo number of politicians the Methodist Church lias given _to New Zealand. He added: “Something should be done about that Auckland' incident. Methodists always have been true Britons. They have been loyal to New Zealand, and" when an attempt is made to voice in this country a. distinction as between Now Zealander and Briton it will remain largely with Methodist politicians, as well as with all other rightthinking people, to break that unholy attempt; and let us understand that if treason is taught by an ecclesiastic, it is just as noxious as the talk of an irresponsible Bed Fed.” HIBERNIAN SOCIETY’S SUPPORT. AUCKLAND, March 23 ; St. Benedict’s branch of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society unanimously passed a resolution deprecating attacks on Bishop Liston, condemning the unwarranted attitude adopted towards the bishop by so-called Roman Catholics, and recording its unswerving fidelity to, and appreciation of, Bishop Liston. SYMPATHY OF PRIESTS. [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 24. At a meeting of the priests of the city and suburbs a resolution was carried expressing loyalty and devotion to Bishop Listou and sympathy with him in “the bitter attacks made upon him and the misrepresentation to which he has been Subjected,” and assuring him of their cordial support. The resolution was supported by Monsignor Hacket (president) and seventeen others. CABINET DECISION SHORTLY.

WELLINGTON, March 24.

Cabinet has considered the matter of Bishop Liston’s speech, and -will announce its decision shortly.