“AN UNWARRANTED ATTACK"

Evening Star, Issue 18047, 15 August 1922, Page 6

“AN UNWARRANTED ATTACK"

AGAIXST A RAILWAY OFFICIAL. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S ATTITUDE. There was considerable discussion at last night’s meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce over the action the president (Mr C. S. Owen) bad taken in replying to a paragraph which appeared in the ‘ Evening Star ’ on August 8 in regard to the appointment of a railway official as a commercial adviser. The President read the ‘Star’ paragraph, then the article which had appeared in the Christchurch 1 Press ’ on August 9, and also his letter to the editor of the ‘Star.’ The President said that as an attack of an unwarranted nature bad fysert made upon an official who bud always given the chamber every consideration, he took it upon himself to nip such a statement in the bud without calling the executive together; hence his letter to the ‘Star.’ Unfortunately a newspaper correspondent had telegraphed the paragraph to a Christchurch paper, and that had made matters a great deal worse. He took the whole of the responsibility for replying to the ‘Star.’ Instant action was necessary, as the reputation of the chamber was at ■stake.

A member said that, in his opinion, the president had takep the proper course in writing at once to the editor of the ‘ Star.’ Mr A. E. Ushcrwood said that the president had been unfair in taking the ac tion he didi without first consulting the sister body—the Importers’ Association.

Air Owen mentioned that it was a reflection on a man’s character, and' that man’s hands were tied in so far as replying to the paragraph, was concerned. Atr Somerville remarked that Mr Owens had only defended the character of an official who hadl boon attacked for .no reason whatever. In his opinion the president was quite justified in the actiorLhe took.

After further discussion the meeting •una.nimous.ly endorsed the, action of the president. MINISTERIAL DENTAL. The Minister of Railways denies the statement that Mr Bowles Las been appointed commercial representative of the Railway Department in the South Island. —R arl iame n tary Repor t er.