Objects To Remarks In Election Address

Northern Advocate, 14 July 1949, Page 4

Objects To Remarks In Election Address

KAWAKAWA Thu., (Sp.).— “Such a statement is misleading to the public and can do .much harm.”

This comment was made by the chairman of the Bay of Islands Countv Council (Cr H. T Atkinson) yesterday on remarks made by the Labour Party candidate for Hobson (Mr W. E. Lane) in his opening campaign address at Opua. Cr Atkinson took exception to MiLane’s remark that the roads in the North were shockingly neglected and that it appeared that either the member for the district or the county councils were not doing their job.

“That is a very wild statement for a public man to make.” said Mr Atkinson.

NOT NEGLECT BY COUNCILS

“Mr Lane is himself a member of a local body and should know why our roads are in a poor state “I am prepared to say that it is ciot neglect—at least by the councils. “Would Mr Lane say the state of the Opua Wharf is due to the neglect of the Bay of Islands Harbour Board? That is exactly the same thing. “I do not attack Mr Lane because he is the Labour Candidate—l would challenge the other candidate if he chose to sav the same thing.” NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY

Cr C F. Jones: I think. Mr Chairman, that at this stage we cannot take very seriously any statement by a political ‘candidate, and I believe the majority of people would take it that way.

“Yes but he is a mem' er of a local body, and should know better,” said the chairman.

He added that he did not propose to carry the matter further, but considered it his duty to bring Mr Lane’s reported remarks to the council’s notice'.