SUPPORT FROM CO-DELEGATE.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 119, 16 November 1926, Page 12

SUPPORT FROM CO-DELEGATE.

Mr. Connop said he supported Mr. Wilton. At the same time he thought it a matter for regret that such a motion liad been moved by the president of the council. He was certain, and always would be certain, that. Mr. Wilton had not used *'i# words offensively, and he failed to

see the motive behind the resolution. "If any member of the council," said Mr. Connop, "or any man in New Zealand can tell me any one thing that Mr. Wilton has done to the detriment of athletics, I shall vote for the resolution, but until that can be proved I certainly cannot." THE CHAIRMAN'S RULING. Mr. E. Guy maintained that Mr. Wilton should have withdrawn the words at the chairman's ruling. "The question at stake," he said, is whether or not the members of this council are going to obey the ridings of tho chair, whether they appear fair or not." He thought that Mr. AVilton, after mature consideration, would withdraw the remarks. Mr. Lusk considered that Mr. Wilton's proper attitude would have been to withdraw his remarks. Mr. M'Villy then referred to a ruling he had been asked to give when he first took office on the council, and which had been accepted by Mr. Wilton and his centre. The question had been raised by Mr. AVilton, who had prefaced his remarks by saying that it was hardly fair to put the question to him, but he wished to say that he had no doubt he would accept tho ruling, and thought other members of the council would do the same. Then there was the present spectacle. "I want to make it quite clear right here and now that until Mr. Wilton obeys my ruling and withdraws his statement he will' noi be allowed to take part at any meeting I am presiding over." AMENDMENTS TO RESOLUTION. An amendment was made to the resolution, which was then put and lost, there not being a two-thirds majority. A further amendment was moved that Mr. AVilton be suspended as a member of the council until he withdrew his remarks. This was carried by 7 votes to 3. Mr. Urquhart said that he thought the original motion was just a little drastic. As it stood now, however, it gave Mr. AVilton an opportunity of withdrawing the words complained of, and having done that he could again take his seat on the council. After a little further discussion, the resolution, "That Mr. Wilton be suspended as a member of the council until he withdraws his remarks," was put to the meeting and carried by 7 votes to 3. The chairman then declared the meeting closed, but before leaving Mr. Wilton said that he claimed that he was able to attend the annual meeting. Mr. AVilton was not present at the annual meeting later in the evening, and Mr. Connop stated that he held a proxy for him. This the chairman ruled out, and the matter was dropped.