THE PENNILESS PUBLIC.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12530, 18 June 1901, Page 4

THE PENNILESS PUBLIC.

It lias been, urged against us that our protest on behalf of the “ penniless public ” comes too late to be of use, that the Reception Committee has done its best for the people, and that it remains for the people to make the best of the circumstances. We do not doubt that the public will rise to the occasion, and that barricades and military obstructions will not diminish their enthusiasm when the time comes to shout, but the Executive Committee must not think that its actions are not being watched very closely, and that its arrangements are escaping criticism. Our “protest” has produced two counterprotests from the Royal Reception Commissioners. Neither Mr Stead nor Mr Wigfam denies our general contention that the arrangements ore not all that could be desired, but both claim that the committee has done the best it could for the public. We may grant so much, expressing only our regret that the best is not better. The chief difficulty, it is admitted', occurs at Victoria Square, where there is seeing space for not more than two or three thousand people outside the stands. The opening of half the road is a desirable concession, but circumstances make it the worse half, and we still think that the whole of the road might be thrown open, the march-past of the Friendly Societies being made inside, instead' of outside, the iron railing. This would be more satisfactory to the Societies, and immensely more advantageous to the general public. The old age pensioners’ stand has been built further into the Square than was actually necessary—for whose benefit we do not know —and space should be found somewhere for the people thus crowded out. Finally, if • the seating acoommodatLon Is not all taken up the committee might dispose of the vacant seats, for worn® only, at a reasonable reduction. We are not less sincere than the Commissioners in desiring to see the reception in Christchurch a •huge popular success* and the-members of

the various committees, who, in their hearts, will probably agree with all we have written, should make ’very earnest efforts in the interests of the general public. Even Governors, we believe, are not unresponsive to the firm pressure of public opinion.