“PARTY POLITICS”

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19763, 19 December 1935, Page 10

“PARTY POLITICS”

SHARP COUNCIL DEBATE. GOVERNMENT CONGRATULATED. BRISK CLASH OF OPINIONS. Some brisk exchanges of a definite political character caused a tense atmosphere at the meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council last night, when Mr A J. Denz moved a resolution that the council congratulate the Government and offer to co-operate with it. Mr Denz expressed the opinion that although the council was not a political body it should extend the usual courtesy to a new government and congratulate it. While Hamilton had lost one man as Minister of the Crown it had gained another Minister in the Hon. W. Lee Martin, while the Pr’mo Minister was a resident of Auckland. They should assure the Government of the council’s loyalty. The Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, said he felt no diffidence about personal congratulations, but he doubted whether the council should take any part in politics. As Mayor he had stood aloof from parties and had assisted all candidates at meetings. Any citizen could send personal congratulations, but he doubted whether the council should be pledged to support the Government. "It is not the business of this council lo support a party whose policy we do not yet know,” declared Mr A. M. Bislev. “That party got into power on promises which it can never fulfil.” lie considered the motion should tie withdrawn. There was an immediate hub-bub and several interjections which impelled the Mayor to call for order. ‘‘Matter Above Party.” Mr J. E. Tidd said the mover of the motion never referred to anything about party. In recent weeks many resolutions in similar terms had been sent to the new' ministry by various public bodies. The reception which was given the Prime Minister in Auckland on Tuesday evening by representatives of the leading churches and almost every public organisation, showed that the matter rose well above party. “I heartily endorse the motion,” he added. "This Government is going to make history.” Mr Bisley: It will make history all right; there is no doubt about that. “We know' this is a machine age and that machines are taking work away from men,” went on Mr Tidd. “That shows that a new' era is right upon us. The motion was not moved in a party sense, but in a broad-minded spirit. It is the duty of this council as public representatives lo give the Government a fair spin.” Mr F. Findlay: “The King is dead: Long live the King.” We may not all agree with the new Government, but we should give, it every assurance of our co-operation. Discussion Deplored, "1 deeply deplore the introduction of parly into this matter,” said Mr Denz. "I studiously avoided party politics in my remarks- Around this table are representatives of all shades of political opinion. This Government has been accepted by the people and has been promised support by even some of its strongest opponents before the election. It is the duty of every public body to give the Government. every assistance possible, while it is proceeding on right lines.” The Mayor: I wanted to avoid the subject of politics at this council. Mr Denz: You introduced it, sir. The resolution was carried, the voting being as follows:—For: Messrs W. Bourne, Denz. W. W. Dillicar, Findlay, H. D. Caro, Tidd and W. A. Curteis. Against: The Mayor and Messrs R. McCaw, F. Best, A. M. Bisley, and HM. Hammond. The resolution included congratulations to the Hon. W. Lee Martin on bis appointment as Minister of Agriculture.