THE PROPOSED PRESENTATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12085, 14 August 1917, Page 6

THE PROPOSED PRESENTATION.

TO THE HniTOrt. Sir,—While generally endorsing your testimonial to Llic Mayor of this city, I do not agree with you that his attitude in connection with the presentation proposal has been all that could be desired, nor can I accept your statement that it does not concern anyone unless they are asked to subscribe to the project. If it is proposed to do anything on behalf of the citizens of a province, surely every resident has a right to express an opinion on the matter. The object of tho proposal in question was to express appreciation to tho Minister on behalf of tho citizens of Canterbury, and since when has it been thought proper to give expression to public sentiment without the approbation of tho people? I have not been requested to subscribe to the fund for the presentation ; nevertheless, if an expression of appreciation is forwarded to the. Minister on behalf of the local community, T, being a part of it, will consider myself to be directly concerned,, since it would be exi>ressing sentiment on my behalf with which "1 do not agree, and, like 70 per cent of the people who T believe hold the same viows, I would be grossly misrepresented. Another phase of 'the proposal which concerns moro than those who subscribe to it is that any expression of appreciation to tho already self-assured Sir Jamas will tend to nullify the effect of much valuable criticism which has caused more efficiency in his administration. .Had there, been even more kicks and fewer caresses, undoubtedly tho results would havo been much better. "While I have the utmost respect for the Minister of Defence as a gentleman, and who I believe is one of New Zealand's most honest, hard-working and sincere politicians, it is absurd to assert that ho is popular as an administrator, in which capacity he has signally failed, and to send an expression of admiration for condemnable administration is surely nothing short of hvpocrisx. Tt is regrettable' that (he Chief Magistrate should associate himself with a coterie which deliberately set ilself to misrepresent public opinion, f say deliberately, because of the way the so-call-ed public meeting was engineered. Tt. was held at a time and at a place that made it difficult for the interested public 'to be present, not to mention thaiit was advertised only one day previous to its taking place. Tf it is thought that the public of this province are desirous of paying a tribute to Sir James, why not convene a public meeting, at a public meeting 'jMaee and at a 'time when all who are interested can attend? The Minister, if bo is of right public spirit, would value an expression of appreciation from such a representative gathering much more than be would a token from a few unrepresentative citizens. If this compromise is not acceptable, to the patriotic few, let the token be sent on behalf of those who have acrood to send it. not on behalf of Canterbury citizens who are denied tho right "to express an opinion on the matter.—l am, etc., L. J. M'DONALD. (332, Colombo Street, Christehurch. (We havi* never expressed any opinion regarding the proposed presentation, but we felt impelled to protest when an effort was made to make capital out of the Mayor's refusal to divulge information which be had no right to make public without the concurrence of his colleagues.—Ed. "Star.")