MR MUNRO AND THE PRESS

Evening Star, Issue 22953, 10 May 1938, Page 5

MR MUNRO AND THE PRESS

“ If the newspapers could bring about the downfall of the present council, it would be a step towards a defeat of Labour in the General Election,” said Mr J. W. Munro, M.P., at Kensington last night. Newspapers had not the right to dictate to the electors who should comprise the City Council. No official denial had come from the Press disclaiming liability for the numerous anonymous letters opposing Labour principles. The speaker also said he knew that many of these letters were written anonymously by the secretary of the Citizens’ Association. The Labour Council had brought greater prosperity to Dunedin than previous councils—it had not wasted or squandered money, but had provided employment for men by going on with necessary works. It had not jeopardised the renewal fund, although he was frankly prepared to admit that it had strained to the utmost limit of safety the City'Council’s finances. He denied that, as reported in the Press, he had made a definite statement that the city’s milk supply had generally been watered. “ When I gain the friendship of the newspapers,” Mr Munro concluded, “ it is time you watched me. I vVould rather have their enmity than their friendship.” Other speakers at the meeting were Messrs P. Neilson, M.P., R. Copland, and E. Sincock. Mr Neilson urged his hearers to do nothing that would jeopardise Labour’s chances at the forthcoming General Election. Only by preserving a united front, he said, could Labour remain on top. He also discussed improvements made to the Public Library, and spoke in favour of the raunicipalisation of milk. In speaking of necessities in connection with Otago Harbour, Mr Copland said that if he were returned he would exert pressure to have , the Victoria Channel dredged to a depth of 25ft at low water, and Dunedin would then be able to claim 90 per cent, of the shipping that came to Otago. More cranes were needed, and these were very costly, but manual labour re-

quired to handle goods in the sheds was also very costly, and suitable cranes would offset this. In his opinion the Government should not be exempt from harbour dues, but should pay just the same as anyone else. Since 1914 the cost of handling Government goods had amounted to £123,000. Newspaper reports that the waterside workers were not handling an adequate amount of cargo were, he contended, untrue.

Mr Sincock said it was his intention always to do his best for the under-dog, whereas his opponents were people who were well endowed with this world's goods. He bad no hesitation in saying that he would take from these people any surplus goods and give them to their less fortunate brethren.