DRASTIC ECONOMY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 114, 17 May 1933, Page 11

DRASTIC ECONOMY.

STRATFORD'S MAYOR. SEVEN OF STAFF DISMISSED. CHALLENGE TO RESIGN. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) STRATFORD, tills day. The biggest sensation in Stratford for many years has been caused by the new Mayor, Mr. J. W. McMillan. By the use of his casting vote he has completely revised the borough council staff policy, imposing substantial salary cuts and dismissing the borough engineer, Mr. L. B. Davis, the electrical engineer, Mr. A. E. Moss, the parks caretaker, Mr. S. Taylor, and four -workmen. Discussion at the meeting lasted iive hours, but most of it took place in committee. When the Mayor brought forward a motion advocating etaff reorganisation hostile criticism was heard from a section of the council, including the deputy-Mayor, Dr. Gordon, and a vigorous opposition developed. In the course of a warm debate the Mayor was accused of adopting "Mussolini methods" and twitted wifh having been elected by the toss of a coin. The voting on the Mayor's motion was equal, and it was carried by hie casting vote.

Press and Public Excluded. A proposal that the council discuss details in committee was also opposed, and the Mayor then remarked that a section of the council appeared hostile to him. After an acrimonious discussion this motion also was carried by his casting vote. Borough officers, Pi-ess and public were then excluded from the meeting, the minutes of which were taken by one of the councillors.

It is estimated that the Mayor's programme will result in saving £2000 annually. The ex-Mayor, Mr. Percy Thomson, has published a statement strongly condemning the action taken, claiming that Mr. McMillan has no mandate from the electors and challenging him to resign and recontest the mayoralty, the loser to pay the expenses of the poll. The new Mayor's action is 'practically the sole topic of discussion in the town. Public opinion appears to be equally divided. .- At the election Mr. McMillan and Mr. Thomson tied. A coin was tossed, and Mr. McMillan won. Four of the nine councillors supported his policy.