MATTER DISCUSSED BY BOBOUGH COUNCIL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7366, 18 January 1902, Page 2

MATTER DISCUSSED BY BOBOUGH COUNCIL.

RESOLUTION OF RESENTMENT

PASSED.

At the Council meeting on Friday evening, Cr. Bobbins referred to the calumnies and insults of the German press regarding the British Army, and to the feeling aroused in every part of the Empire. He thought . the Council should join with other parts of the colony in expressing disapprobation and resentmeut, and letting it be, known to the world at large that the colonies, as well as the people in the Old Country, felt strongly on the subject. He was always averse to jingoism, but on this occasion thought it only right that we should express our loyalty to the Mother Land. There were many German people resident in New Zealand who would join with other colonists in their resentment, and these persons were better able to understand us than those resident in the Fatherland. He had no sympathy with the suggestion to boycott German manufactures; we could afford to take a higher stand, and follow the example of a man like Mr Chamberlain, who had not said anything derogatory to our German friends. What he had said was true, and he had no intention of retracting. He moved, That this Council, representing the citizens of Hawera, join with other partß of the colony in resenting the insults and calumnies levelled against the British army in South Africa by the German press, the fact being that no acts of unfairness can be proved against our forces. 'We have, every confidence that the officers in command will continue to carry on the wat in the same manner in the future as in the past ; also we express with pleasure the exhibition of loyalty to the Motherland as shown by the ready manner in which the Eighth Contingent volunteered for active service.

Cr Sargeson coincided with everything but one the Chairman bad said, and when the time came he would have something more to say on the matter. He held it was our duty to protect British manufactures, and he would be in favour of asking, every candidate at next election if he was in favour of a tariff against German manufactures.

Cr Fake would like to see an addition to the resolution to the effect that pressure be brought to bear on German manufactures. It was our duty to protect British industries, and in doing so we would be protecting our own interests. It was for us to patronise British manufactures, otherwise they would be wiped out.

The motion, which was seconded by Cr Fennell, wa3 carried unanimously.