STREET SPEAKING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22356, 1 September 1934, Page 24

STREET SPEAKING

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

TO THE EDITOR.

Sjßj—Mr John Gilchrist has a. Jotter In your columns this morning which calls for a reply. The facts are that my remarks after the council meeting were dictated to a Star reporter, who later handed me his transcript, which I approved for publication. Here is the »epoj-t as it appeared:—" Subsequent to the meeting Gr MTndoe (chairman of the General Committee) made a statement to the Star that the General Committee had heard Mr Simpson and Mr Gilchrist at its meeting, and had decided bi the meantime that no action should be taken in the matter of altering its previous decision relating to street speaking, particularly in view of the fact that Mr. Simpson, Mr Gilchrist’s lawyer, had intimated, that he was going to attack the validity of the by-law. The facts were that Mr Gilchrist had been refused a permit, but'had, nevertheless, delivered an address in a public place.” It will be observed that the Times report differs in an important point, in that 3t attributes to me the statement that Mr Gilchrist and Mr Simpson were informed of the committee’s reasons. They were not, and I did not say they were. Perhaps Mr Gilchrist may now withdraw’ terrain remarks about myself in line with his apology to my brother councillors.

For Mr Gilchrist’s further information I might state that the General Committee held a special meeting subsequent to the one at which his representations were received, and very full consideration w r as given, the issue. The Mayor and every committeeman knew perfectly well that Mr Simpson’s speech was intended as a threat to challenge the by-law, unless the committtee W’ent back on its previous decision. The committee wag of the ©pinion that Mr Simpson’s little bluff ■nould be called; and it is now’ open to him to state a case before the magistrate, If the by-law is pronounced unreasonable or against the public interest Mr Simpson will be conferring a benefit ®n the city by his courageous action, although one could hardly imagine that he felt very confident of the issue. r

Let me assure Mr Gilchrist that there k nothing the matter with Cr Hindoo’s ♦yesight or his internal fortitude.—l am, •tc., John L. M'lndoe,

August 31. [lt will appear from the foregoing that our reporter’s transcript of his reSarks had not the benefit of Cr ‘lndoe’s approval for publication.—Ed. O.D.T.]