THE LISTON SCANDAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18439, 24 March 1922, Page 5

THE LISTON SCANDAL.

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL TAKES ACTION. DISLOYALISTS TO BE BARRED FROM TOWN HALL AND DOMAIN. SCATHING CONDEMNATION. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 23. The City Council to-night passed a 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 Coadjutar-Bishop of Auckland, in the Town Hall and resolves:

(1) That the Council hereby records its condemnation of the said lecture, and declares the 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 be brought under the notice of the New Zealand Government, with a view to its taking 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 be notified that until the sentiments expressed in the speech and evident in the proceedings are disavowed, and «n assurance given against any repetition of such statements, neither of these facilities will be available for the organisation under whose auepices and on whose behalf the Bishop claimed that he spoke. That the City Solicitor be instructed to re-draft the terms for the nice of the Town Hall, and the by-laws governing the use of the Domain; and redraft the by-laws relating to parks and open spaces, and consider the Council’s powers as regards licensing public halls, so as to require all proceedings to be conducted in a lawful and constitutional manner without disloyalty, sedition, or other conduct invidious to the Realm, or constituting an affront to the citizens.

The Council’s resolution re Bishop Liston was opposed by Mr. Bloodworth, who moved four amendments. all failing to find a seconder. Mr. Bloodworth said the Mayog was right in writing to Bishop Liston, but should have awaited a reply before publishing h.'s statement. The motion went further than the Council should go. He claimed that stronger speeches would have gone unnoticed in Britain, and pleaded for freedom of speech here. St. Benedict's branch of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society passed a resolution unanimously deprecating the attacks on Bishop Liston, condemning the unwarranted attitude adopted towards the Bishop by so-called Catholics, and recording unswerving fidelity to and appreciation of Bishop Liston. CROWN LAW OFFICE INQUIRY. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 23. Mr Massey states that the papers concerning Bishop Liston’s speech have been referred to the Crown Law Office.