REFUSAL TO MEET KING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22108, 14 May 1935, Page 12

REFUSAL TO MEET KING

SOCIALIST MAYOR'S ACTION THREAT TO CLEAR GALLERY SINGING OF NATIONAL ANTHEM [from our own correspondent] (By Air Mail) LONDON, April 27 The Bermondsey Borough Council, which has a Socialist majority, has come into the limelight because the Mayor, Mr. Weightnian, has refused to meet the King ftt Cambenvell Green on May 18. He refused on the ground that the consequent expense would deprive 30 crippled children of a week's holiday at the seaside. Thereupon, the Bermondsey Constitutional Club offered to bear the expense of the children's holiday, but this was declined. At a meeting of the council a few nights ago a number of people in the gallery rose and sang "God Save the King," and the Mayor threatened to clear the gallery. Mr. Davis, the sole Municipal Reform member of the council, said there were thousands of loyal ratepayers in the borough who thought that Bermondsey should be represented at the meeting with the King, and there were many in the borough who would be willing to pay for the Mayor's visit. "Thousands of loyal subjects of the King are meeting all over the world to celebrate his jubilee, and that Bermondsey should not be able to show their love and loyalty to the King is disgusting" 110 said. He moved that the council should reconsider the previous decision not to allocate any money for the purpose of the jubilee celebrations; that a loyal address be sent to the King, and that a representative in the place of the Mayor be sent to Camberwoll Green. The Mayor said that he meant no disrespect to the King, but would stand by his party in their decision not to participate in the jubilee celebrations. "I will accept no bribes from political opponents," he said. "I will not be present at the reception to the King, and this council can do what it pleases. It is time that this pomp and show was cut out. To spend £3OO of public money so that South London Mayors can meet tho King for five minutes is a disgrace." Mr. Davis' motion was lost by 40 votes to 5. It was when this decision was announced that people in the gallery sang tho National Anthem and the Mayor made his threat.