CONFLICT IN MELBOURNE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 196, 20 August 1934, Page 6

CONFLICT IN MELBOURNE

CRITICISM AND REI LY CONCESSION SOLD FOR £5OO. The proposal of the Centenary Council to include a rodeo in the Victorian Centenary programme has aroused opposition in certain quarters in Melbourne. The Argus, which endorses the opposition to the rodeo, recently published an editorial on the subject. It said: —“If the council were an elected body imposing taxation to finance its plans, it would meet its just doom at the earliest opportunity. As it is a bureaucratic body, however, the only way open to the citizens of showing their hearty disgust with its policy—much as it may be deplored—is to withhold subscriptions. There are circumstances in which taxpayers willingly pay taxes for the furtherance of a policy which they favour; but it is expecting too much to suppose that people will provide money voluntarily to promote policies which are offensive to them.’’ The Criticism Resented. At the next meeting of the Centenary Council the Lord Mayor, Sir Harold Smith—who is chairman of the council—described the Argus article as “a most contemptible, unpatriotic, and disloyal utterance.’’ The article in question protested against the council’s determination to hold a rodeo irrespective of public feeling, and suggested that the only way open to citizens to show their disgust was to withhold subscriptions to the centenary fund. The Lord Mayor explained that in return for placing the rodeo on its official programme the Centenary Council tvould receive £5OO. An agreement had been signed giving the council the right to censor the programme. It would be impossible for the council to escape from this agreement, as it had already been signed and sealed. Even if such a withdrawal were possible it would remove the council’s right to protect the animals from maltreatment. It was explicitly statftd in the programme that contestants maltreating animals would forfet prize money. Mr. T. S. Nettlefold said that he was sorry to find himself in disagreement with the executive committee, but he was of the opinion that the council should attempt to find a means of withdrawing from the enterprise. “While not agreeing with the views expressed in the Argus,’’ he >continue<l. “I realise that there are many people who do accept them. Evan if we believe that the rodeo is not cruel. T think it would he better now if wc allowed the Wild Australian Stampede to conduct their own affairs without official recognition.’’ Rodeo Approval Remains. The Lord Mayor: The Argus has given an excellent excuse to parsimonious and unpatriotic people not to subscribe to our fund. To withdraw recognition of this show would be an insult to the country. Mr. Wettenhali. M.L.A.: Nothing happen^at a rodeo which is not taking place everywhere in Australia. To come along with this “sob-stuff.” in Australian language, is unfair to this body of ’citizens, two are giving their time to the job. After further discussion the question was allowed to lapse, Mr. Nettlefold announcing that as he was evidently not supported ho would not move that the council’s decision be rescinded.