"TAKE THE PLATFORM”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 401, 9 July 1928, Page 12

"TAKE THE PLATFORM”

CHALLENGE TO MAYOR CIVIC SQUARE LEASES A reply to the Finance Committee of the Auckland City Council concerning tlie Civic Square leases has been made by Councillor W. H. Murray in the following letter* to The Sun. Councillor Murray writes: “In reply to the Auckland City Council Finance Committee, I beg to submit for publication the following facts:—On June 18 last I published my answer to Mr. Jaffe’s letter. “I congratulate the Mayor on bringing the subject forward without giving me an opportunity of saying whether the statements made against me were true or not. I was the last one to know the question was coming forward. “With a full knowledge of my reply the Finance Committee decided to obtain solicitor’s opinion. Despite my denial they now make a statement to the public that I should take steps to clear myself, and not one reference to my reply. This is typical of the council’s attitude toward me during the whole of my activities re wastefulness, etc. “I have made a sworn affidavit concerning my denial of Jaffe's suggestions. I have challenged councillors and Jaffe to meet me on the public platform, but such challenges have not been accepted. I have addressed the public of Auckland on the public platform. The opposition prefers to sit tight, it apparently suits them better. If the council is so desirous of learning the truth, and they say they only want facts, why have they repeatedly refused me access to documents and to answer the many questions I have asked for verbally and by letter? Many of my written questions have not yet been answered by the town clerk. “I recently put in a written request to council to see file re civic square leases, but was refused point blank by the town clerk. He said he would ask the Mayor, who consulted the city solicitor. His reply was that I could not see the file except by resolution of council. I applied some days before last council meeting to peruse solicitor’s opinion re Jaffe’s letter and my reply thereto, but received the same reply—a refusal. “I have in my inquiry how much money has been wasted. For so doing I am being maliciously attacked on all sdies by the council. I take that as a tribute to my strength. Let the Mayor take the platform and show the public how well the city has been managed. I will be on the platform also. It is the money of the citizens that has been wasted. Let the citizens know why.’’