FERRY BOARD DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1923, Page 8

FERRY BOARD DISPUTE

WAS THERE A BREACH OF.

PRIVILEGE?

COUNCILLOR DAWSON AND MAYOR OF EASTBOURNE.

Recently Councillor E. A. Dawson, who holds the position of senior member of the Eastbourne Borough Council, having topped, the poll at the municipal elections in April last, decided to make a public statement in regard to the purchase of the Muritai, which at that date had not been taken over by the Eastbourne Ferry authorities. In making the statement, Councillor' Dawson said to a. "Post" reporter that he felt that he owed a duty. to the ratepayers, who should know pxacly what was happening in connection with the purchase of the vessel. Councillor Dawson's statement appeared in "The Post' on 10th July. A few days later the Mayor of Eastbourne (Mr. F. H. Mather) publicly rebuked Councillor Dawson for having made the statement, the matter in hi* (the Mayor's) opinion being sub-judice until the F«rry Board had seen fit to release the information, which had been dealt with in committee. The Mayor further declared that Councillor Dawson's statement would complicate the position, which, at that time, was extremely delicate. However, Councillor Dawson's interview with "The Post" representative had apparently the opposite effect, because two or three days later the difficulties thought to be insurmountable were overcome, and the Muritai wa 3 taken over by the council, and has since occupied a place in the regular cross-haxbour service. At a later meeting of the Eastbourne Borough Council the_ personnel of the Perry Board was revised, and Councillor Dawson lost his seat thereon, Councillor Hull-Brown being elected to. the board.

Last evening the subject was again referred to, when Councillor Bowden sought to obtain for Councillor Dawsou an opportunity to vindicate his position. Councillor Bowden said he did not see the necessity of going into committee over the matter, but was ■ prepared to leave the matter in' the hands of the Mayor. . .

Mr. Mather declared that it was not a personal matter with him, and he bore no animus towards Councillor Dawsou. At the same time he preferred that the subject should be dealt with in committee. The- matter was- one between the council and Councillor Dawson, and not between the councillor-,and himself, -there had been a breach of privilege, and he (the Mayor) had acted at the time as he thought best. In view of what had been said at the last meet--Ij=-° Li comlcil he thought it was inadvisable to have any ■ further public discussion on the subject. "I do not think the responsibility should be thrust on. me, ' concluded the Mayor -Councillor Shortt moved that the matter bo taken m committee. Councillor Hulliirown seconded the motion," which was carried, Councillor Bpiyden dissenting