City Traffic Staff Promotion Confirmed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30294, 21 November 1963, Page 17

City Traffic Staff Promotion Confirmed

Eleven traffic officers, who had appealed against the decision to appoint Traffic Officer I. W. McLaughlan a traffic sergeant, had all appeared before the traffic committee and been given an opportunity to elaborate on their appeals, the committee reported to the City Council last evening. It recommended, and the council agreed, that his appointment be confirmed. The chairman (Cr. T. D. Flint) and Cr. M. B. Howard, M.P., were authorised to prepare a statement for the men concerned.

The council also agreed with the committee that in future the traffic superintendent (Mr J. F. Thomas) M.ould interview all applicants for promotion and subsequently submit a short List of applicants to the committee for consideration. References to the appointment in the committee's report were listed as in committee, but were taken in open meeting after a debate. “On every posable occasion items are picked cut of the traffic committee's report and some councillors try to make capital out of it. - ’ said Cr. Flint when it was proposed that the clause be taken in open meeting. If there was any general desire for the matter to be made public, he had no objection, he said, but lie thought it could properly be in committee. “In the traffic committee we have too much of not ■taking the public along with us.” said Cr. Howard. “We have nothing to lose by letting the public know what the committee is doing.’’ “Under Fire’’ “Trie committee is alwavs under fire.” said Cr. W. E. Olds. “Cr. Flint is always under fire for obvious reasons. He should be supported.” Before the council indulged in any mej-e entirely irrelevant matters, it should decide whether the debate was in

. committee or not said the . Deputy-Mayor (Cr. H. P. Smith). If there was nothing : affecting an individual, the I ma tter should be open. [ The motion to take the matter in open meeting was then carried. I “We have got to get our : public relations cleaned up.” I said Cr. Howard. “We have I to get the people on side with us. There is nothing [ that can't be cleaned up.” The men who came to the j committee were loyal to their mates, she said. Half of them : said they did not expect to I get the appointment. but | were along to support their [ mates. I Three were outstanding men : with long service and they ’ stood high in the minds of jthe committee, Cr. Howard I sard. j To Cr. Denton. Cr. Flint [ s&rd Traffic-Sergeant Mc- ' Lauchlan had eight years and a half service. Outside Advice I When Cr. A. E. Armstrong suggested that the committee i should have outside help at times. Cr. Howard interjected: ‘ ‘God help us.” Administrative officers had to be recognised. Cr. Armstrong continued. “If officers I are so upset and feel they have been thrust aside or ini suited, they should have some right of appeal, like our Raiil- ' ways where a retired magisI trade presides.” The Traffic Superintendent had recommended the ap-

ptir.tment, sad Cr. A. R. Gulhrey “The appo'n'.ment w?s questioned by the opposition and they humbugged and insinwtsd things were net what they should be. We should get beheld the chairman and give him the support he deserves." “These men with whom I worked and knew for six years were all good men." said Cr. M. McLean. “They a>~ked for promo: on on seniority and ab.'L y." "There is a greet deal that has been said that is regrettable.” said Cr. Smith. “First, you cannot run a department on the bae.s that members can go and discuss their seniors with countillers and find receptive ears. That principle has been breached. “Then, no committee can function on the basis that councillors vote for a proposition in committee and then go against it in council. “A great deal of the trouble has arisen through wibblywcbbling by members of the committee who have agreed with the head of the depairtmen in committee and then spoken against him," he saiid.