NO CONSIDERATION FOR FAR NORTH

Northland Age, Volume XVIII, Issue 16, 23 November 1948, Page 1

NO CONSIDERATION FOR FAR NORTH

At the meeting of the Mango- ♦ nui County Council when the letter of Mr. J. Heenan, Manager of the Royal Tour 1949, in reply to the council’s letter requesting a visit of the Royal Family to the Far North was read, councillors were of the opinion that they were being merely side-tracked in what they considered to be their just request. One councillor termed Mr. Heenan’s letter as “so much eyewash and humbug,” whilst another said “the thing is piffle for infant children.” “It boils down to the usual thing as far as the Far North is concerned,” flatly asserted Cr. W. Hales. “We are entitled to the same consideration as the rest of New Zealand. It’s high time we took very strong exception to our treatment by the Government or department concerned, when visiting dignitaries from the Royal Family down are in New Zealand. Our kids ai'e worth consideration But ARE we considered ? No ! We’re just wiped ! ” Cr. W. J. Dawson spoke along the same lines protesting that he felt very strongly on the matter. “This, Mr. Chairman,” he said, “is one way of creating an apathetic feeling towards the Crown. This Government is going the right way about it. This is a sure way of disintegrating the Empire. What better way could we have to hold this Empire together than to let our young see and enjoy the spectacle of Royalty—and a democratic Royalty at that in our midst.” “I feel very strongly on this matter,” Cr. Dawson continued, “and I am going to move that we protest to the Acting-Prime Minister upon our treatment in the North. I would also like to move, Mr. Chairman, that this council sends a deputation to wait upon the Kaitaia Borough Council with a concrete proposal for the • furtherance of the visit of the Royal Family here, and seek the support of that body.” These resolutions were carried without dissent. Whilst the forthcoming visit of the Royal Family was still under discussion a letter was read, in which it was suggested that the County Council should have hung in Whangarei streets, a banner of welcome to Their Majesties. This suggestion was not well received by the councillors, Cr. Hales saying : “I am as loyal to the Crown as any man in New Zealand, but rather than see money spent in useless banners that Their Majesties will never see, I’d rather see the money go to the Institute for the Blind, or the Cancer Fund or some orphanage. And I’m sure Their Majesties would be glad if the money was spent that way, too.” It was decided that no action would be taken in the matter.

Jack Philbin, an admirer of Edmund Lowe, had never met Lowe but kept staring at him in a restaurant until Lowe nodded and said, “Hello.” “What do you think of that?” asked Philbin. “I’ve gone to so many of his movies, he thinks he knows me ! ”