GENERAL BOOTH’S RECEPTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11884, 6 May 1899, Page 9

GENERAL BOOTH’S RECEPTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —You have fallen into the same error as Mr Louisson over this question in presuming and arguing that Mr Louisson is the elect of the of Christchurch. You say, “From what has passed, his Worship draws the conclusion that the members of the Salvation Army have been guilty of discourtesy, not so much to himV self as to the citizens of Christchurch, and V’e are bound to say that the conclusion, under the circumstances is perfectly justifiable.” Is it a fact that this same state-, ! ment is published in the leading columns of a paper that has been for some time declaiming against the constitution of the City Council? How is it possible that the: “Army has been guilty of discourtesy” to the “citizens of Christchurch,” when the citizens have never had an opportunity to Mayor? Mr Louisson is not the elect of the citizens of Christchurch,but the elect of the privileged classes, a very .small minority of the people of Christ-; church, who have always arrogated to themselves the chief - functions. Mr Louis-'. Son is the elect of the stone and brick, and tunber age, and to arrogate to himself the : right to speak on behalf of the citizensis presuming on a position that is not , his ; ., to enjoy, and which he ought not to take upon himself. When the adult popular tion of Christchurch enjoy their just right of dectmg the Mayor or Chief Magistrate,, and Air Louisson has the honour of their! confidence, then it will be time enough for him to speak on behalf of the citizens, and feel hurt if any indignity is done him,i hh™ ™ ea ff une >. he.is only the' represen- : tariye of the minority of the people of Christchurch.—l am etc., w . ■ W. T. THOMAS, ■ Woolston, April 22, 1899. “ L T°” reSP ° ntieil?e is n<m closed —Ed.