A REVEREND OBSTRUCTIONIST.

Bush Advocate, Volume XX, Issue 936, 1 February 1908, Page 5

A REVEREND OBSTRUCTIONIST.

(Marlborough Express, January 29.) How true it is that in the conduct of inaiiy of our public affairs we are slaves to custom, and are tillable or unwilling, to leave the beaten track, even when circumstances arise that appear to render such a course desirable. Sometimes, it is true, venturesome persons, may break away from established methods, but these are the exceptions which prove tho i-iiie. Recently, upon a ship entering Hobson's Bay, it was found that the. crew, for some reason which it is hoped, for their own sakes, they will be able to justify, had deposed the captain Irom his command, and had placed the chief olliccr in charge. Hero is oue of those rare instances of extraordinary action, when the occasion seemed to demand it, to which we have referred. ' Far more often, however, when it is obvious that some decided, though unusual step is necessary in some awkward situation, do men fail to appreciate the position. These reflections are suggested by the deadlock now prevailing in the Dannevirke Borough Council. In this town the ratepayers have elected the Lutheran pastor as' their chief magistrate. This reverend and worshipful gentleman has recently taken the somewhat singular step of" refusing to put from the chair motions of which he may not approve. He says he takes his stand upon clause 22 of tho standing orders, which gives the Mayor the final decision 'in all matters of order and practice. A councillor pointed out that clause 30 says: "The Mayor shall, in taking the sense of the meeting, put the question first in the affirmative, then in tho negative, and the result thereof shall be recorded in the minutes." I'pon being asked how ho

I reconciled 'this with his ruling,, his j worshipful reverence said the siandj ing order quoted only provided for the manner in which the -question | .should be put, if tlie Mayor decided ' to put it at all!, li: will thus lie seen ■"that an intolerable position has been ! created. The Mayor h.-.-' practically { assumed autocratic rule ii: (lie town, ; and the councillors arc regarded by him simply as puppets, to da;-* c when jhe pulls the string. But ii-i* couni oillors, being brought up . ;tg:mist a i dead wall, which they apparently caunct get through, /can .-•••-. t*iy find a J way round. To do xhli they should ; break away i'j'om tiiue-iioiK-.i'd tradition and temporarily throw the customary respect for the chair to the winds. Finding tho Mayor obdurate, and all business at a standstill in • consequence, what is to prevent their ignoring his presence at the table, and appointing a chairman who will put the "motions, and thus enable business to be "'proceeded with? .Tho Mayor would then have the privilege" ' of voting upon the resolutions, prob- ! ably finding himself in a minority of. I one, but he would be denied the ploa- ! sure it seems to afford him to block ■ business entirely. The suggestion is J commended for what it may be worth 1 to the attention of the Dannovirke I Council.