REBUKE FOR M.P.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23029, 5 May 1938, Page 16

REBUKE FOR M.P.

REMAKES RESENTED ONE TREE HILL COUNCIL LETTER TO MR. A. G. OSBORNE The alleged interference of a'member of Parliament in the affairs of a borough council was criticised by the Mayor of One Tree Hill, Mr. I. J. Goldstine, at a meeting of the council held last night. The matter was first considered by the council in committee, and on resumption in open council Mr. Goldstine referred to statements which he said had been made by Mr. A. G. Osborne, M.P. for Manukau, while presiding at a meeting addressed by Labour Party candidates for membership of the One Tree Hill Borough Council. "I have been informed that Mr. Osborne took the chair at a meeting addressed by Labour candidates at Penrose on Monday," said Mr. Goldstine. " No umbrage can be taken concerning that. But Mr., Osborne made certain very disparaging remarks concerning the condition of the streets and footpaths of Penrose, and concerning legislation promoted by the One Tree Hill Borough for the exemption of the Cornwall Park trustees Jrom the payment of certain rates. v " Should Know Position " '"I have learned that Mr. Osborne said a big song had been made of the remission of these rates," continued Mr. Goldstine, "but nothing had been done. Mr. Osborne is the representative in Parliament of One Tree Hill, but is neither a resident nor a ratepayer. It is my opinion that his remarks savour of being nothing less than those of a busy-body. " If Mr. Osborne were a proper representative of this district he should have known the true position. He is either trying to mislead the people of the borough or not carrying out his duties as a member of Parliament." Mr. Goldstine explained that legislation had been framed by the council to assist the Cornwall Park trustees in putting men back to work. The trustees had been forced to dismiss the men owing to the increase in land tax and the condition of the park had suffered in consequence. Mr. Goldstine presented the following letter, which the council unanimously agreed to forward to Mr. Osborne:— "The attention of my council has been called to certain statements made by you at a meeting of Labour candidates held at Penrose on Monday night, at which you acted as chairman. "A Gratuitous Insult"

"One of the remarks made by you was to the effect that the streets and footpaths of Penrose were a disgrace to a wealthy borough such as One Tree Hill and that you were fearful of driving your car on those streets. Other statements were in a similar strain and obviously tlesigned to prejudice listeners against the presrnt administration.

"I am instructed to advise you that my council takes a very grave view of your action in taking sides in municipal affairs in a borough in which you neither reside nor have any financial interests. On the contrary, as Parliamentary representative of the greater portion of One Tree Hill, you are supposed to represent all the people of the electorate, not one particular section. And to come in and take sides in your electorate in municipal'affairs, which are definitely no concern of yours, is, my council considers, nothing but. an impertinence and a gratuitous insult to the administrators of this borough. "If you would in future confine your energies to matters concerning which you were elected to Parliament, as did your predecessor, Mr. W. J. Jordan, and refrain from interfering in domestic affairs in your electorate, it would be better for the district and all concerned."