RESULTS OF AN ELECTION

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23446, 29 September 1941, Page 4

RESULTS OF AN ELECTION

VOTE BY AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION COMPLAINTS MADE AT ANNUAL MEETING The announcement of the results of the elections for president and vicepresident of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) at the annual meeting of the association on Saturday evening was followed by a complaint by Mr H. Lightband. defeated candidate for the vice-presidency, that there was “a definite block” on the association’s council. This, he said, arose from the method of appointment of West Coast branch delegates, and from what he held to be a “block vote by West Coast members. The complaint led to a discussion in which certain actions taken during the cloclions were strongly criticised by members, and an explanation by the treasurer (Mr W. R. Carey) of circumstances preceding the elections. Mr Lightband asked for the results of the polls to be read out, which showed that Mr C. G. Curtis (Buffer branch) had been re-elected president with 1749 votes to Mr G. S. Morris s 808. Mr G. Tench was elected vicepresident with 1641 votes to Mr Lightband’s 919. “This just bears out what I have been trying to bring about,” said Mr Lightband. “My object was to get our 12,000 members to take a greater interest in the affairs of the association. This was won on the vote from the West Coast where there are now about 1800 members, practically a block vote.” Office of President For the last six years, said Mr Lightband, Mr H. C. Harley, the delegate appointed by the Grey branch, had been vice-president lor two years and president for three years, and would hold the past president’s office for two years more. “There is something wrong with our constitution, when I point out that there is no means whereby those gentlemen can be put off the council by a fair straight-out election,” ho said, “I have no criticism with regard to the affairs of the association, which have been ably managed.” Mr Harley replied that as a delegate he came up annually for election. “The West Coast now has a considerable membership. It is quite possible for the West Coast to run an association and weaken this association, if it comes to that,” he said. "I think it is a very petty and trivial idea to try to introduce that sort of argument.” Mr Lightband: I wish both Mr Harley and Mr Curtis to take my remarks impersonally. I was speaking of the constitution, not of persons. It was most unfortunate that councillors defeated for the presidency or vice-presidency lost their seats on the council altogether, said Mr F. W. Johnston. The rule had been framed to give minority representation. It was an anomaly but could not be avoided. All the speakers were wrong, said Mr W. R. Carey. “If you had done this last year' you would have stiff been on the council.” Mr Lightband: There was no question of an election last year. Mr Carey: There would not have been one this year if you chaps had not made it. A Circular Letter A member moved that the next business be taken. “If we are going to take the next business it had better bo this circular letter,” said Mr C. H. Bro vne. He held up a copy of a letter which he said was signed by nine members of the executive and was meant to influence votes in the elections. “To my way of thinking that is sharp practice,” he added. “It says it is satisfactory that there is no election for the council this year, but unsatisfactory that there is one for the presidency. I think that is an insult to Mr Morris. It is a propaganda stunt unbecoming in an organisation of this kind.” It was “down in black and white” that the membership list was only available to the staff. The secretary (Mr J. S. Hawkes) explained that there was no list, but a card system. Mr Browne: Then someone has been at the card system. Mr Carey: You know 100 much. Mr Browne: We are entitled to know. “The election is over,” declared Mr Morris. “I wish you’d leave it alone." It was the principle of the thing, said Mr Browne. Mr T. Haberfield also protested against the circular letter, saying that the executive had no right to try to influence votes. “Full Responsibility” “I will take full responsibility for that letter,” said Mr Carey,- “I am sorry this has got to be done. It has been customary for a president to have two years of office. I wish it could rest there; but in view of the remarks made I must say something.” _ Ho accounted both Mr Morns and Mr Lightband his friends, Mr Carey went on. He also had a conscience about the president, who had had one year, particularly as there had been an arrangement between Mr Curtis and Mr Morris, made two years ago. When Mr Morris sought election as president he did not go to,Mr Curtis to see if his intentions of two years ago had changed. "I do not remember an election for president before,” said Mr Carey. “If Mr Morris had gone to Mr Curtis I do not think there would have been an election this year. “A fortnight ago there was a newspaper advertisement telling you how to vote. The gentlemen of the council who were concerned that the president should have his customary second term met and decided to send the letter. If there had been no advertisements there would have boon no letter. I felt it my duty to support an arrangement made with the president and all the parties concerned two years ago. No association list was used.” Mr Carey said it had been open for Mr Morris and Mr Lightband to be renominated for their council positions, but they had not done so. He was not criticising them, as they were fully entitled to act as they had. Defeated Candidates Thanked Mr Lightband, replying, said he did not regret the election. He had carried out his object. “The idea of dodging elections is all wrong,” he said. An election was better than a “block” such as existed. Mr Carey explained that all the West Ccast gained for its 1800 members was one delegate from each branch on the council. Ho thought the proportion was in favour of Canterbury, “I would like to ask Mr Morris and Mr Lightband what is wrong with the block.” he said., “They can come back again to the council shortly. I think there has been a bit of bad navigation.” “It has been a bit of a shake up, but I’m sure it has not done any harm,” said Mr Johnston. “If a man wants to go up for election he has a perfect right to do so. even if the other man is cemented into the basement. Let us hear no more about it.” He himself had been under a misapprehension, supposing that Mr Harley had held office a third year on Mr Curtis’s behalf. Later, Mr Johnston moved a vote ihanks to “the two gentlemen who lost the election and are now retiring,and that the association place on record its appreciation of their work. This was carried enthusiastically by acclamation. Former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem.— According to the Berlin radio, the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem has escaped from the sphere of British power.—London, September 26. TENNIS RACKETS. Call and see our extensive range of tennis equipment. Rackets of all makes from 25s to 95s strung with imported gut, Restrings from 15s to 355. Buy now while the imported gut is available. Tennis Nets, Balls, Eye Shades, Presses: everything at value prices at MASON, STRUTHERS and CO.. LTD. -6