THE GOLDSBURY CASE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16359, 2 November 1918, Page 7

THE GOLDSBURY CASE.

THE LEAVE OF ABSENCE QUESTION. TECHNICAL COLLEGE BOARD'S RESOLUTION RESCINDED. Practicallv the whole of last night s meeting of the Board of Governors of tho Christchurch Technical College was devoted to the discussion of matters arising out oT tho Board's decision, at its previous meeting, to grant leave of absence to Mr Noel Goldsßury. There were present: —Messrs Geo. Scott, . D Boag, W. Hayward, J. R. Hayward, A Williams, H. J. Marriner, B. SethSmith, J. A. Black, H. 11. Rusbndgo, J W. Beanland W. H.-Cooper, \\. K. Gahagan, A. Jeans, W. Jones, 11. Langford, J. McCullough, C. H. Opie, S. C. Owen, W. J. Wills, H. Worrall, J. A. Uren, and Mrs A. Wells. Apologies werci received from Messrs Wright and C. J. Maddron, and tho Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C. , The minutes recorded that the resolution was arrived at immediately alter the correspondence had been dealt witn. Jfr W. Hayward, when the minutes were confirmed, said that in adopting the minutes and the order of business as therein recorded as being correct, the meeting had removed the impression, he had received from reading what some speakers had said about the matter, that it had been rushed through at the tail end of tho meeting. The chairman announced tnat tne Director. Mr J. H. Howell, was ill, and on the motion or Mr Rusbridge, ; seconded by Mr Cooper, the Board ox- | pressed its regret, ana its hop© that I he would be soon about again. I Letters were read from tho Citv Council, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, and tho Canterbury Employers' Association, intimating : that the financial support of thßso bodies would be withheld unless 'the resolution was rescinded. . . Tho Heathcote County Council wrote that it had asked its representative, Mr George Scott, to resign his position on the Board, and that the Council woulS make no further grant unless the resolution were rescinded. Mr Marriner asked what the chairman's intention was regarding this letter. The chairman referred Mr Marriner to his letter to the County Council include:! in his report to .the Board. All the letters were received, and consideration was held over. . Mr GoWsbury wrote tendering his resignation, and voluntarily offering-his services in tho way of compiling or checking returns during the period allowed him for study. . ■ ' . The letter was received, and consideration was deferred. RESCINDING THE RESOLUTION. Mr W. Jones moved, "That the resolution granting leave of absence to Mr Goldsbury be rescinded." He urged this course, becauso the Board had made a mistake,-becauso they ought not to appear to put a premium on insubordination, and because tho College, being a Government institution, the Board in all its acts should do them in strict conformity with the laws of the land for the time being. The fact that Mr Goldsbury was a nice man and a desirablo citizen should not weigh with them.

Mr Owen seconded. The chairman suggested, and it was agreed, that his letter to Mr Goldsbury, asking him to' agree to be ■ medically examined should be read. In this communication Mr Scott suggested that Mr Goldsbury, having made his protest, should agree to be medically examined. Mr Langford suggested that the motion should be put. Mi ; Seth Smith, referring to the chairman's report, emphatically denied the statement in the chairman's report that he (the speaker) told Mr Scott that he -was not going to support the motion. He remembered distinctly telling the chairman that he was exposing himself to grave criticism in bringing Mr Goldsbury's letter beforo the Board. Tho chairman: You never did vything of the kind. Mr Steth Smith: I distinctly remember saying so. He further said that the, chairman mentioned to him the name of a member of the Board who would be absent from the Board, and this made him (tho speaker) withhold his vote. Mr Marriner: Who. was the member ? Mr Seth Smith: It was a private conversation; perhaps it \vould not be right to give any names. - The chairman said that he did not know to what Mr Seth Smith was referring; he did not say a dozen words to Mr Soth Smith. Mr Opio said that his vote was given under a misapprehension. His recent bereavement had affected him a great deal, and he had Voted without knowing what the facts of the case wore, and did.not know that,Goldsbury had been sent to prison. . Mr J. R. Hay ward thought it would be unfortunate if the matter wore further discussed, and moved that the motion be. put. . .. . Mr .Rusbridge strongly objected. Mr Marriner said 4.hat he was absent from the previous meeting; but had studied the agenda and had seen no reference in it to Goldsbury. It was a bad breach of confidence in bringing the matter on, as.it was brought on. He had discussed tho Board's action with three or four members of Parliament in AYellington, who # told him that if the Board did' not right the matter, the Government. would step in and right it- Ho regretted the illness of. the" Director, as he (the speaker) ' wanted to go thoroughly into matters connected with the administration of the College, but he did not want to say behind Mr Howell's back anything he would not say if he were' present. The resolution oi the previous meeting he looked upon as" one of the most infamous things the Board had done. It would be well if those who .declined to fi«rht had an experience of German rule in 3 , Belgium or Serbia Mr Goldsbury had refused to be medically examaned after Mr Bidhop had told him that, being a member of the of Friends, ho would not bo called. "-From what I have heard," continued Mr Marriner, ''I cannot help . thinking that the verv strong moral power that forced Mr Goldsbury to do it was, to some extent, backed%ip by.our director. (Cries of "No. ' and "1 obje:-t io that:") ~\Jr Marriner faid that Mr Goldsbury had been implofed by his (Mr GoldsImrv's). wife to be medically examined. There were thousands of members of the iSocictv of Friends who wero fighting to uphold -the Empire. So far as Mr Goldsbury was conterncd, the Board should not have the slightest sympathy: he had brought it on hims:*!f. The chairman thought he had made it cl->ar -why there was no reference* on the agenda paper of last meeting to Mr Goldsbury's letter, which he got on the Thursday. Ho had asked tho opinion of a member representing agriculture, another representing labour, and another representing education —ho asked for their guidance because he did nofc know what to do himself; Mr Howell did not know that he (the chairman) was going to read the letter, and Mr Marriner's statement was wrong and unfair. Mr TVorrall, in a lengthy speech, contended that the provisions of the Military Service Act allowed an appeal to be 'determined without the appellant undergoing medical examination: Mr Bishop had exceeded his powers when he ordered Mr Goldsbury to be examined. Bishops, parsons, priesfs, and Marist* Brothers were not compelled to be medically examined before _ being exempted. He referred to a single young man, employed by one of the big com-

panies, he said, who was passed medically fit last' April twelvemonths, whose appeal was twice turned down, but who did not go into camp. He (thespeaker) had waited for some protest m>m the employing classes about this case. He alleged that the agitation against Mr Goldsbury was an attempt by the employing class to get- the chairman off the* Board because of his support or continuation education, Mrs Wells also spoke at some length. Mr Goldsbury, she said, had not broken the law; the Appeal Board h?d done so: the Conscription Act- Ivad broken the British Constitution. Mrs Wells contended that she hud a right to express her opinions, as die was on the Boaru representing h?r constituents, and was not deputed by tbe City Council. Mr Vren said that the Board ought to rectify the mistake it had made. Mr Tlusbridgo argued that the agitation respecting Mr Goldsbury's case was due to newspaper sensationalism. He was not a pacifist or anti-militarist, bub respected the opinions of thoso who differed from him. >Mr Goldsbury had' made a courteous request; lie _ (the speaker) did not believe in damning a nvm paid tho penalty of lus otfences, and had voted for the motion. Mr A. Williams regretted his absent from the previous meeting. The Board must uphold the laws of the land, ana he would feel ashamed of himself if ho did not raise his voice against the atrocious action tho Board had taken. Mr Gahagan said that hh; main objection had been to tho manner in which the Board had arrived at its decision. Ho declined, when asked by the chairman, to withdraw his statement as to the matter having been dealt with as mem- I hers were folding up their papers prior to leaving. .. „ " ~ ' Mr McCullough said he was there to approve of tho actions of a man. whei suffered for conscience' sake. : % Mr W. Hayward stoutly defended the director: there was not, ho said, a man ■who was doing his duty clearer and better than Mr Howell. . On the motion being put, the chairman declared it carried. A division was called for, and resulted in the motion being declared earned by 18 votes to 4, the dissentients being Mrs Wells. Messrs liusbridge, WorraU, and McCullough. On -the motion of Mr Opie, it was agreed, Mr Manriner expressing dissent, to ask -the Hcathcote County Council to reconsider its dcci»ion asking Mr Scott to resign: the motion also expressed the Board's appreciation of Mr Scott's work on the Board. Several members were about to leave the room, and it was decided to adjourn the meeting for a fortnight.

REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN. | The chairman's report-, which was! before members, but which was not reached before the meeting adjourned, was as follows:— Iu view of statements mado by the Press and by members of contributing bodies with regard to Mr Goldsbury's application - for leave of absence. I wish to make clear both what took place and ■what is my own position. At the outset I desire to refer to _ a letter that appeared in the Christch'urcli papers above the signature of Mr Seth-Smith, in which it wns stated that an attempt hail been made to influence tho vote of the writer before the meeting. I desire to say that while I did speak to Mr Seth-Smith on the matter, I spoke only a few Words with him, and my objocfc in doing so was not to influence his opinion, but to find out what his views were. I may say that I was in doubt whether the letter should bo brought before the Board at its last meeting, or whether I should hold it over until Mr Goldsburv had replied to a letter 1 sent him' trying to persuade him to comply with the requirement for medical examination". I spoko very briefly to Chreo members only' Between the' conclusion of the Agricultural Committee and the Board meeting, 'and in no case was it done with a view to influencing their opinion j but rather to obtain information as to their yiows. I wish also briefly to refer to the remarks made by Mr Gahagan at the meoting of the Spreydon Borough Council. Mr Gahagan is reported to havo said that "he was surprised at the unfair manner in which the matter had been brought up by tho chairman at the Board meeting. Those ..present were; just gathering up their papers, \yjien. Goldsbury's case was brought up.''Before they were ablo to realiso what was happening the motion eras . put through.*' I .feel suro Mr Gahaganj did not intend to do me an.injustice,' but his statomefats have given to the public, and in particular to contributing bodies whose representatives were unable to be present at" the meeting, an entirely wrong impression of what took place* The letter which was only received from Mr Goldsbury on the day before Board meeting"" was put hefore the Board at the conclusion of the correspondence, and, therefore, in the proper placc, and at the proper time." It is true it was not on the business, but the Director-had handed the letter over to me on the day it was received, and did not know whether it was coming up at this meeting, or when a reply had been received from Mr Goldsbury to my request that he should undergo medical examination. Subsequent to iny bringing the letter before the Board the following reports were taken: —Agricultural Committee, Appointments Committee, Finance Committee, Special Committee to consider the new regulations, Director's report, together, with, notice of motion by Mr Seth-Smith, notice of motion by Mr Jones. It has been very painful to me to finS that the Joyalty of the College and of myself has "been questioned. It is so utterly unreasonable .that I propose to do something which ; I have always strongly opposed doing, and that is, talking .about what has been dono in connexion with the College to 6how how fully bur responsibilities during war time' have been realised. I venturo to say that there is no school that has done n:orc, when the circumstances of the pupils arc taken into account, than our school has done. The following is a list of some of the things, < but "the list is by no moans complete:—

1914—Belgian and other funds —Cash contributions .. .. .. G5 Two cases of clothing valued at ?5 1915—Belgian Carnival. March—Sale of tickets .. .. .. V 7 Belgian Festival, April—Stall, over . V> Patriotic, Ited Cross, Belgian, Serbian, and Polish Funds, raised in cash, over •• GOQ Cases of clothing, 300 « .garments for children of British soldiers and sailors. 1916 —221 garments for"VidoTVg and orphans of sailors. Belgian Fuud .. .. °5 120 Christmas parcels to Old Boys, GO pairs of crutchcs for disabled soldiers; Old Boys' Parcel Fund, over .£7O raised; 175 pairs of socks and 27-2 other " garments made and despatched. ■ About 1"0 parcels forwarded. 1918—Already raised by -pupils for Old . Boys' Parcels and Memorial Funds .. • • • • 232 "During the present year also tho cookery department has on eighteen separate occasion-? assisted oithor tho T/ady Liverpool Fund, the Red Cross Society, the Navy League, the Prisoners of War Fund, or the Motor Patrol Fund, making considerable* contributions in cakes and sweets, the material of which has been e»upplied Vj* pupils or friends. For four years past tho pupils have given up all their prizes . for athletic sports, as well as for class work, in order that thjo money might '!>© devoted to one or other of tho war funds. Last year, in prirato conversation with the Director, we were discussing the question as to what would bo best to do in tho matter of raising a memorial to our Old Boys," and as a result, I proposed to tho Board that we should look forward to erecting a' Memorial Hall and Physical Training Department. The scheme was approved, but it was decided to take no steps until after the war, except in the direction

of raising; funds. When discussing finances with tho Director, we each decided to make a contribution. On March 23th I presented a cheque for £40. and the Director then contributed £100, and tho staff about £80. A committee was set up, under my chairmanship, consisting of the vice-chairman of the Board and tho chairman of tho Standing Committocs, together with six members of tho staff ana six members of tho Old Students' Association. I suggested that a dny might ho set apart lor a street collection, but the staff and the old students at on«> turned the proposal down, as they did not wish, during time of war, to mako any call upon the public. After leaving tho committeo av*d admiring their loyal efforts to raise funds without soliciting public subscription, I sent another cheque for £60. The money* together with the amount, contributed by tho staff, was at. once invested in loan certificates on the principle that wo should assist the Government in their finances. Tho staff and .pupils are now in the middle of preparations for a baaaar,te bo held on December 17th and 18th, involving a great deal of work, and making much demand on their timo, hub everything is douo in a spirit of loyalty to the College, to the country, and to the memory of the old boys. During tne whole of the timo I hava held tho position of chairman of. the Board I have never heard an utterance by anyone connected with tho College that waa in any sense disloyal, while I havo constantly seen evidences of a spirit of most sincere loyalty. _ I havo forwarded to tho chairman ot tho Heatheote County Council tho following letter explaining my own attitude, and what has taken place. A copy of this is submitted.for tho information of tho members of the Board. I may add that a letter has been- received from Mr Goldsbury sending in his resignation.

"I beg to acknowledge the receipt of the 3 letter from tho Council asking me to resign. tj my position as its representative on tho fl Board of Governor# of tho Technical Col- Jj lege. . J "As I ice! sure that the Council dobs not 5 wish t-o do an injustice and would not wish. J] to injure the College, I desire to p'.aco t»- I fore you a. statement, in explanation of my j action, and giving some account of the set- t vices which 1 have been itblo to render to j the College while I have had the honour ot [ being a member. . j "Kocl Goldsburj'e letter was received'ana : handed to mo on tho Thursday previous to \ tho Board's meeting on tho following day. It : gavo me some' anxiety «b to what was my • duty in tho matter, and I consulted with two : members ot the Board Mid understood that thov considered that, owing to Goldsbuiy* - loyalty and faithful services, there would bo j no harm in granting him leavo of abaencc. 1 also spoke to Mx Seth-Smith, _ but only_ ft j few words, not with any intention of in- j fluencing his opinion, but to find out what his' views were, and when he loft mo I understood he was going to support tho motion. The motion was brought forward in a spirit of charity, not with any idea of approving oi Mr Goldsburv's conrso o.f action,- for all. disapproved of it., but with the feeling that he and his wifo and child were suffering; heavy punishment. My attitude towards .his action is sufficiently shown by the fact that on the day his letter arrived I caused- a letter w bo sont him trying to pcrsuado mm to submit to medical examination. The- matter has been wrongly represented to the pntyc, -and we have therefore been misjqpged. , -rue letter was brought before the -Board in- the proper manner at the oloee ol the correspondence, which was taken early in .tho meeting and amplo time given for any discussion. "I was clcctod & member of the Board m 1908, and have been chairman for 64 years. When I accepted the position ol chairman t fouhd the Board in financial difficulties and, owing to the increasod demands ana expenditure which had taken place, work then'in progress had Jo be stopped and. workmen discharged. I then rocomniended a new. policy whereby contributing bodies increased'• their contributions and additional contributing bodies were nccured. I also made -a personal canvass of the city, obtaining with the oubsidy over £100, and, in company, with- Mrs Bowen and Mr W. H. Cooper, -proceeded .to Wellington to interviow tho Minister ofi/du- - cation for a special grant-, which wo were "successful in obtaining. - , "During my , as chairman ;tha" Boar<t liaaliad a yearly crodit balancc, the* hostel was completed and furnished, the liability on the .grounds. paid for, additional land ajid a cardt&kcr's cottage purchased, pavilion, erected on tho ground, extensive additions added to the Gollego buildings costing . thousands of pounds, a thousand pounds lias been invested m war 'bonds to he devoted to the erection of a -Memorial hall for physical'culture and social gatherings for our returned boys and psst and present students,-and the attendance of students has increased from 1301 to 1730. : . "The doma-nds upon my tune-have been considerable, but the work has been lightened by a .willihs/Board and a-truly loyal staff. '.'The Ohrislchurch Technical College stand? to-day second (o none-in the Dominion, and is engaged in a section of educational work which tho British Minister of-Education considers so important,' that-a Bill has becu passed miiking it compulsory for all young persons to receive part-time education up/ to * th*s • age of' eighteen years. ■ , • . ■ "If tho Council is' 6ti'.l of the opinion that I should resign, I will do so after th« next meeting with a clcar conscience that I liave represented the Council in a -faithfuV honest, and intelligent manner, sad though I may not be on the Board, ■ I shall not relax my efforts in working for tho principles of -the new British Act, namely, part-time dai'.v continuation pohoola for the development of the higher forms of, education, and the improvement of the physical conditions ot tho youtig persona undet, instruction.