ATTACKS ON THE MAYOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16317, 25 August 1916, Page 7

ATTACKS ON THE MAYOR

-BIDDEN TO GO TO FRONT. 'ANONYMOUS DETRACTORS^ CITY COUNCIL'S REFUTAL. : MB. GUNSON'S WORK IN AUCKLAND The position of the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. H. Gunson, has been assailed frequently of late by persons who, hiding their identity under anonymity, have addressed several letters to him, suggesting that he ought to enlist. The matter having come under the notice of the City Council, the whole of the members attached their signatures to a memorandum of protest and sympathy. This document was read to the Mayor at last night's meeting of the council by Mr. A. J. Entrican, Deputy-Mayor. It was couched in the following terms: —

"We learn with deep regret that you have been subjected to much annoyance by the receipt of anonymous letters and otherwise, suggesting that your duty at the present crisis in the Empire's affairs is to enlist and go to the front. We are quite sure that to give such statements their most charitable explanation, is to say that they can only come from very unbalanced minds. If those who have been guilty of such conduct would take a large view of Empire affairs at the present time, they must come to the conclusion that there are thousands of men who are doing the Empire greater service by continuing in their present positions than by exchanging these for the firing-

line. "We know that in Britain thousands of men were brought back from the trenches to do more important work at the base. To-day our Government will not allow miners to enlist. Those engaged in munition making, coal mining, ship repairing, slip building, and producers of food and clothing for our troops, are doing their 'bit' equally well with those who shoulder the rifle.

"We who know the time yon are de- - voting to civic affairs, as well c-s to the administration of patriotic funds, to the work of recruiting, and the services you - are rendering to returned men, are very well assured that you are in your ri«"ht place{hear, hear)carrying on your present, duties. And we desire to convey ~ to you our unabated confidence and to • assure you of our cordial support."

The reading of the memorandum was ' followed by applause from the members of the council, and the .Mayor, when it was handed to him by Mr. Entrican, briefly expressed his thanks.