DISMISSAL OF CLERK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 91, 18 April 1945, Page 7

DISMISSAL OF CLERK

INVESTIGATION HELD

P.A. AUCKLAND, April 17. Members felt that this was tantamount to victimisation, said Mr. R. McKeen, • chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on local body matters, at the end of an investigation into the dismissal of a i local body officer by the Raupo Drainage Board.

Addressing the chairman of the board, who was asked to appear before the committee, and the officer concerned, Mr. McKeen said it was needless to emphasise the very serious view taken of the matter.

"The committee has felt it its bounden duty to take up this position," Mr. McKeen added. "We want to make it clearly understood that right from the commencement of these sittings we have had local body officers giving evidence or their opinions under cross-examination, and nobody has taken exception to their remarks or evidence. In all cases it has been extremely valuable. If it is going to jeopardise their positions, .however, then it is going to be very serious. We want local bodies to understand that this committee will not stand for any officer being victimised because he has come before us to give evidence."

The chairman of the drainage board. Mr. P. McGregor Stewart, denied that the termination of the services of Mr. E. G. Aickin as clerk had anything to do with his giving evidence before the committee.