BISHOP LISTON’S SPEECH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18512, 24 March 1922, Page 6

BISHOP LISTON’S SPEECH

CITY COUNCIL TAKES ACTION. “AN AFFRONT TO THE CITIZENS.” (P«* United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 23. The City Council to night passed the following resolution;—■ That the council, solemnly and sincerely affirming its loyalty and allegiance to King George and to the British Empire, deplores the disloyal and seditious speech delivered by Dr Liston, Roman Catholic coadjutor Bishop of Auckland, in the Town Hall, and resolves; 1. That the council hereby records its condemnation of the said lecture, and declares its opinion that no person capable of making the statements reported to have been made by Dr Liston is worthy of British citizenship. 2. That the speech he brought under tire notice of the New Zealand Government with a view to its caking appropriate action. 3. That those concerned in the hire of the Town Hall and the Auckland Domain in connection with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, bo notified that until the sentiments expressed in the speech, and evidently in the proceedings, are disavowed, and an assurance given against any repetition of such statements, neither of those facilities will Ire available for the organisation tinder whose auspiceis and on whose behalf the Bishop claimed he spoke. 4 That the city; solicitor be instructed to re-draft the terms for the hire of the Town Hall and tho by-laws governing the uso of the Domain, to re draft the by-laws relating to parks and open spaces, and consider the council’s powers as regards the licensing of public halls so as to require all proceedings to bo conducted in a lawful and constitutional manner, without disloyalty, sedition, or other conduct invidious to the realm or constituting an affront to tho citizens. REFERRED to crown law OFFICERS. WELLINGTON, March 23. Mr Massey states that the papers «vmcerning Dr Liston’s speech have been referred to tho Crown Law Office. LATTTTTr/ COUNCILLOR’S AMENDMENTS UNSUPPORTED. ( AUCKLAND, March 23. *. Iho City Council’s resolution with reference to Bishop Liston was opposed by Or Bioodworth, who moved four amendments, all of which failed to find a seconder. Air Bioodworth said the Mayor was right in writing to Bishop Liston, but should have awaited a reply before publishing the cteement. me mofion went further than flic council should go. He claimed that stronger speeches would have gone unnoticed in Great Britain, and ho pleaded ■or freedom of speech here. HIBERNIAN SOCIETY SUPPORTS THE BISHOP. AUCKLAND, March 23. Sf. Benedict’s branch of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society unanimously passed e resolution deprecating attacks on flishon Liston and condemning the unwarranted attitude adopted towards the bishop by so-called Roman Catholics, and records its unswerving fidelity to, and appreciation ot, Bishop Liston.