WELLINGTON MAYOR

Grey River Argus, 7 May 1942, Page 5

WELLINGTON MAYOR

Offends Australians HIS REPLY TO SERVICEMEN. P.A. WELLINGTON, May 6. The Wellington branch of the Australian Imperial Forces Returned Soldiers’ Association passed a resolution registering profound regret and intense resentment at “the unfounded, ill-timed and objectionable, if not slanderous, statements made against the present A.1.F., Australian Government, and people, by Mr Hislop, Mayor and Chief Magistrate of Wellington, at the annual dinner of the Royal Society of St. George in Wellington.” Mr Hislop, replying, said the basic idea of his speech was to pay tribute to the people of England, and through them, to all Britons, for their sublime courage and determination in the hour of trial. It had been apparent during the dark hours of Malaya and Singapore that attempts had been made to belittle Britain’s great leader, the British conduct of the war, and the qualities of the armed forces op the Old Land. He was determined to play his part in refuting this attitude. He ventured to think that attitude did not represent the true feelings of Australians. Attacks, however, have been made by some political leaders of Australia, and might have had influence in New Zealand, and, therefore, in his view, ingratitude to Britain, required an answer.

He emphasised that his criticism was directed at those, “and they were not all confined to Australia, whose attitude displayed gross ingratitude to the splendid people of Britain qnd our great leader.”

Australians’ Demand FOR N.Z. GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION. WELLINGTON, May 6. Mr, T. H. Ashton, the Secretary to the Wellington Branch of the A.I.F. Association of Ex-servicemen, referred to the statements which the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, made at the Royal Society of St. George dinner, contending that Mr. Hislop had made references to Australian leaders which went beyond fair criticism. Mr. Ashton said that .in the opinion of his association this matter is one which the New Zealand Government must take appropriate action and the Association was placing it in the hands of the Prime Minister (Rt. Pion. P. Fraser),

Mr. .Ashton declared that his Association gave place to no one in their admiration of the people of England.