DISCOURTEOUS ACT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21154, 29 September 1938, Page 8

DISCOURTEOUS ACT

MAYOR REFUSES TO PRESIDE AT MELTING By Telegraph—Press Association WESTPORT, September 28. Stating that he refused point blank to take the chair at the opening address in Westport of Mr T, O. Maddison, the National candidate for the Buller electorate, the Mayor, Mr J. Kilkenny, no doubt created a situation without precedent in the history of New Zealand. His refusal rose from an invitation from the secretary of the Westport National Party to the Mayor, read at the monthly meeting of the Westport Borough Council to-night. Mr Kilkenny, in explanation of his refusal, stated that the Buller County Council and the Westport Borough Council had recently passed motions of confidence in the Government and in the member tor the district, the Hon. P. C. Webb. Mr Kilkenny said that the consequences of his refusal were on his own shoulders, and that he would not assist any person that was contaminated with the diseased minds of those responsible for the state of the West Coast before 1935. Strong exception to the Mayor’s remarks was taken by Ors. O. L. Nahr and G. Taylor, who regretted to see the step he had taken. “The country," said Cr. Nahr, “is still free.” By so doing Mr Kilkenny was practically dictating to the people as to how to vote.

Mr Kilkenny replied that in his opinion he was doing the right thing for Westport.