WORDS AT A MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 35, 11 February 1936, Page 6

WORDS AT A MEETING

LEAD TO WITHDRAWALS

■- , ; ■ •; ft j. , '■ " ■ ■ f. A long and at times warm discussion took place last evening at a meeting of the Wellington School Committees and Educational Federation. A, letter was read from Mr. H. G. Rogers, a member of the federation, referring to an incident which occurred at a previous meeting. At that meeting, Mr. Rogers was asked by the chairman to withdraw a remark made in regard to another member, and apologise. This Mr. Rogers declined to do( and left the room. In his letter he alluded to what he described as his "suspension" at, the previous meeting. The chairman (Mr. E. Turksma) said that Mr. Rogers was not suspended, but voluntarily left the meeting. Mr. L: Hennessey remarked that Mr. Rogers's letter was not an apology or withdrawal of his 'remarks'. During the discussion which followed members expressed regret'at what was described as an unfortunate incident, and it was hoped the/matter would be regarded as closed./ Mr. Rogers, who was in an adjoining room, was asked to come into the,- meeting, which he did, whereupon Mr. Hennessey rose and walked to the' door, stating that under the circumstances he felt bound to leave. / Mr. Rogers said .that when he made the statement he /did at the previous meeting he was 'fighting for a principle; there was i nothing personal in his attitude. / Mr. Hennessey/ maintained that Mr. Rogers was persbnal. Mr. Hennessey then left the: meeting.

A motion,was adopted by the meeting declaring the discussion closed.