NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 195, 16 August 1906, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

MIL-ALLAN'S RESIGNATION.

CONFERENCE WITH THE PREMIER.

"THE MAJORITY MUST RULE."

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHMSTCrTtTRCH, Wednesday.

The Executive Committee of the International Exhibition held a special meeting this morning for the purpose of discussing Yvith the Premier (Sir Joseph Ward) the matter of Mr. Robert Allan's resignation as Executive Commissioner of the Exhibition.

Mr. C. M. Gray (chairman of the Executive Committee) said that the executive desired to bring under the Premier's notice certain matters that had occurred in connection with the work of the Exhibition in Christchurch. For many months friction had existed, and the committees had put up with' a gfeat deal for the good of the object they had in view; but in the opinion of some of the executive, matters came to a climax within the last week through the resignation of Mr. Allan, which was a step they all deplored. He would ask Sir Joseph whether it would be necessary for them to go into the details of their grievances, or whether he was prepared, having a general knowledge of how things stood, to make any announcement or any offer which Would make it unnecessary to go into details which had perhaps be best left unpublished. STATEMENT BY THE PREiIIER. The Premier said he was exceedingly anxious that the Exhibition should be a success, and everything pointed to its being a great success. He was sure that any minor difficulties would be subordinated to the desire to 6ee the Exhibition made a success in every possible way. (Appjiause.) He regretted exceedingly that Mr. Allan had found it necessary to retire from the position he had so well and honourably filled since he had been appointed to it. (Hear, hear.) He communicated with Mr. Allan, asking him if he could not see his way to accept the position of honorary Commissioner, in view of the fact the communication received from him indicated that more than friction was the cause of his retirement, but he Yvas sorry to say that Mr. Allan had replied that he could not see liis way to accept the position. That being so, the position required to be faced from the point of view of the Government of the country, with the view of ensuring that the continuity of a great undertaking for which the colony was responsible should not be broken,. and that the progress of the work should go on in the beat possible way. He did not want to go into the details of any friction that had arisen. Those who were responsible for the point of view they Wished to set up, should set out their complaints in writing, and make some distinct charge so that the Government could with propriety make an investigation. The officer who Was originally appointed was appointed to a position which the late Premier and his colleagues recognised was a difficult one, inasmuch as the Government of the country was responsible for the expenditure of" the money, and the Government required to have someone on the spot. To a very large extent the officer wis a buffer between the Exhihitidn and the Government, and; the Government never I imagined for n, moment the possibility of any officer being here whb would' hot meet with a certain amount of criticism, no matter how well he might have discharged his duties. Ho only wished to say that in fairness to the officer who had been here, and had been carrying out responsible work since he had been in Christchurch, he had looked at the matter from the standpoint of the colony. It might save time if they would realise that so far what, had been done was in the direction of ensuring a safe continuity of the whole undertaking. For the information of the executive, he was exceedingly glad to be able to state that Mr. Recce had kindly agreed, to a.ceept the position of ,an Executive Commissioner— (applause)—and another gentleman to whom he had spoken was considering whether he would be able to undertake a similar position, and he hoped before the end of the week to be able to anann ounce that another Executive Commissioner had been appointed. The Government of the country must, in the ordinary way, continue to be represented on that "Commission, and Mr. Munro would .continue in that position. Mt. Recce had consented to act as an Executive (Commissioner, and he hoped that the other gentleman would also consent to act, and then he thought that all the minor troubles and difficulties that might arise from whatever cause Yvould disappear. Sir John Hall would also continue to be an Executive Commissioner, and he hoped that the Commissioners would receive the active co-operation of the members of the various committete, and that such troubles that might arise would disappear, and the Exhibition would go on and be a great success. (Applause.) MR. MUNRO'S POSITION. Mr. Hart asked whether Mr. MUnro would continue to hold the position of chairman of the Executive Commissioners.

Sir Joseph Ward replied that he did not contemplate any change. "He wished to be perfectly frank with the <»mmittee.

Mir. Haft said it was no use going On under a misunderstanding. If Mr. Munro held the position of chairman the position would not be very much altered.

Sir Joseph Ward said that no member of the Government would act upon a neneral undefined accusation made against Mr. Munro or anyone.else. Unless something else was placed before the Government, such an accusation was not a sufficient warranty to justify the Government in dispensing with the services of an Executive Commissioner who had worked very hard, and had done his best to assist in carrying out a great undertaking.

The Hon. C. Louisson said that if there had been any friction it had not been tvith the Executive Commission as a whole. It might have been with some committees or with some individuals. He was chairman of the Finance, Selling Rights and Side Shows Committees, and these committees had had no cause of complaint. With regard to the telegram sent by Mr. Gray to the Premier, as far as he knew that telegram had been sent by Mr. Gray entirely on his own responsibilityj for the members of the Executive Committee were not communicated with.

Sir John Hall asked what was to be the authority of the chairman of the Commissioners as compared with tlie rest of the Commission. Would Mr. Munro take upon -himself to decide matters without consulting his colleagues, or without obtaining the concurrence of the majority of his ■colleagues? A great deal depended upon that. If the chairman was to decide- upon hi* jown

autnoTit y» then he - was *fa.v cause of friction ** The Premier replied that ft; cedure to be followed by the c P * sioners would have to tween themselves. The /£?* *t be,. could not dictate to the how they should conduct mgs. The majority ofXg*T I sioners must rule, that was » cerffi* (Applause.) to th& tb £ grMI MarT «"«5«55Several of those present spokei a*H the chairman-.suggested that ' should be proposed to the the committee I should accept the -'.£k £ ou * lmed b y the-Premier. P * h The Premier said thai he am. i. think that **£"£* position was perfectly dear. ?mMM vernment had got its and had to accept them, and ne ceS' did not require the endorseinenTXJ one else for the i-esponsibuit.es' wi£ devolved upon the Goverairent; "*£ Government was responsible «ntirelv& the expenditure, and had VfcbiW?;* pointed a responsible officer ' »Tl&fc£ tive Commissioner, whose duty' : *«7+•'■' survey generally the work mvolved £ the proposed expenditure, and fro* w to time to receive authority'tefdw iS. expenditure took place. He coulAonl say that in that respect Mr. itouuo hS done what the Government had in. 1 structed him to do originally,. and'tiC Government were not responsible iZ the minor troubles that had cropped mv In conclusion, Sir Joseph said thatsißM the air had been cleared, he" hoped««* all would work together in the interesta of the Exhibition.

On the motion of the Hoh.-S. T. Wn. ram, a hearty vote. Of ..thanks was * 1 corded to the Premier for aaA making the announcement thathThlS.' 1 In the course of a subsequent inter! view, Sir Joseph said; that' 1» hoped-(«:• ' be able to announce the name; o f the third Conimissioner by'nuddiy 'foafc' row. '

ALLEGED PROHIBITORY TABDT. ■

(By Telegraph-Own CorrMpontenU CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The representative of a largg finghiU firm of manufacturers has '*• grievance against the colony, ana* Yvai^edhpon Sir Joseph Ward to place the matter before him. This firm- intends to scad but large quantities of goods, which; it makes for , display at the International Exhibition. They were, invited to do so by the Riga Commissioner, and engagea' t ti» necee« I snry space.- The firm's representative now learns that it is stated that the Uo. vernment raised a high tariff against im. portationS of the'class 6i goods manufactured by the firm, and he what ilia i there is in that case of making a display to the Exhibition. He has decided thaS unless he gets a definite assurance thai a prohibitory tariff trill''Hot lie' raisedhe ■ will send a cable message to the firm ad> vising that no goods should be sent, and ' that the position should be brought lie. fore the London Chamber of Cbinnerea, . ■ •■■ »" . "' •'-'■.-■-, p ■- ■.' .<■'■'■'■' ■■■ ■"' '