ELECTION OPPOSED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 50, 10 December 1935, Page 5

ELECTION OPPOSED

THE LINCOLN COLLEGE BOARD. REPRESENTATIVE OF M.P.’S. QUESTION OF QUALIFICATION. (Per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. In no uncertain' terms the manner of Mr M. E'. Lyons’ election to the Board of Governors of Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, as a representative of the Canterbury members of the Legislature, was condemned at a meeting of the board this morning by Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., whose . seat on the board will be taken by Mr Lyons. The whole question turned on whether, from the time of the dissolution of Parliament M.P.’s ceased to be members of the Legislature. Under the ruling of the Director of the College (Processor Alexander), who acted as returning officer, M.P.’s were declared to be “civilly dead” and de-’ barred from voting in the election. of a member, which took place before the recent general election. Under this ruling tne only voters were four members of the Legislative Council who were named as the Hons. R. Heaton Rhodes, W. Hayward, D. Buddo* and L. M. tsitt. Mr Howard this morning contended that under the Civil List Act M.P.’s were paid from the date of their election until the date of the next election, therefore they remained M.P.’s until the time of that election. Furthermore, lie contended that even if M.P.’s were struck off the roll of voters the two Canterbury Cabinet- Ministers at the time were Mr Forbes and Mr Bitchener, should have remained on the roll. On this count alone it was submitted that the election was invalid. A suggestion made by Mr S. S. Kyle, M. was that in the circumstances Mr Lyons should resign his seat and that another election should he held in which the present M.P.’s could take part. After a long discussion it was decided to set up a committee consisting of the chairman (Dr. Denham), the Hon. D. Buddo and Mr Kyle, to report upon the method of the election and in particular to make such in-quiries-as might be necessary concerning the validity of the recent election.