EXPELLED FROM CLUB

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2299, 18 November 1925, Page 2

EXPELLED FROM CLUB

MR GLADSTONE’S CRITIC. BOOK WHICH GAVE OFFENCE. LONDON, November 7. The “Daily Mail” publishes the correspondence which passed between Captain Peter Wright and the com, mlttee of the Bath Club, which expelled him as the result of his attack on the lato W. E. Gladstone, in his book, "Portraits and Criticisms.” Wright wrote to Lord Desborough, president of the committee, saying that he had been requested to resign on August 10, before he had been accorded an opportunity to defend himself, as was required by the rules. The secretary had first complained in July that the committee objected to the use of the club’s address appearing on letters which dealt with the Gladstone" controversy. ■ Later, Wright says, the secretary gave another reason for his expulsion. Wright wrote: “Your action resembles malice more than justice. I further observe that Lord Gladstone Is a momber of the committee. Whatever your motive, your disregard of the rules is capricious. You and the other proprietors of the club are liable for damages.”' The secretary replied that Wright had had two months in which to make his defence. Wright retorted: “Ytmr statement aggravates the injury. It is arbitrary, illegitimate and insincere. I should have been permitted to defend myself prior to being asked to resign, and not afterward?.’ ’ Wright intends to obtain legal ad. vice with a view to taking action.