COUNCILLOR RESIGNS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 161, 8 June 1929, Page 4

COUNCILLOR RESIGNS

FROM COMMITTEES. DISPUTE AT LEVIN. Claiming that, as the candidate who had polled the highest number of votes at the' Borough Council election, he should have been allotted a higher position on the committees of the council than had fallen to his share, Cr. Falloon wrote to the Levin Borough Council, tendering his resignation as a member of the lighting, waterworks and library committees, in his letter, which came before the council on Tuesday night, ho stated that he was taking this step after most serious consideration.

“My reasons are,” he wrote, ’‘that not only have I been slighted by the Mayor and council, but the electors’ confidence in me has been ignored. Fivo old councillors have been appointed chairmen of committees, whereas I, as the other old councillor, have been left out. Further, I was a member of the streets committee in the former council and gained some experience which I had hoped to put to future use; yet I now find myself excluded from that committee altogether. It might be said that the timo to speak vvas at the first meeting of tho council, but I maintain that very little time was given for reflection or discussion of the draft brought down by the Mayor, and, further, that it does not always follow that a council’s decision is a just or a wise one. Under the above circumstances, I feel that my protest is best voiced by my resign, ation from these committees.”

In a postscript, Cr. Falloon stated that he would have had much pleasure in tendering his resignation verbally, but he understood from the standing orders that the resignation must be given in writing, together with his reasons.

“One never likes to get letters of this sort,’’ said the Mayor (Mr C. Blenkliorn). Cr. Falloon: We don’t like to write them.

His Worship said that all he could hopo was that the letter had been written in a hurry and without due consideration. If he had not taken Cr. Falloon at his own valuation, it was the speaker’s fault entirely. Cr. Falloon had a duty to the town. “You aro a councillor,” the Mayor continued, “and are appointed to certain committees, and 1 don’t think you ought to resign in the manner ■ you contemplato doing. I should very sincerely ask you to let this letter be held over for further consideration. You are to do certain work to the best of your ability for the town. For that reason you were elected on certain committees. If anybody has slighted you, it is myself and not the council. Ido not pretend.to be infallible, but I never recede from a position I have once taken up. I should take it very kindly personally, and thank you officially, if you let your letter be held over pending your further consideration.”

Cr. Falloon : Do you think you acted in a constitutional manner in appointing me like that? His Worship : I did. Cr. Falloon: I cannot find a case anywhere in New Zealand of the highest at the poll being the lowest on the committees.

His Worship: Y'ou are not the lowest. You are on important committees. His Worship: Can you see your way to have this matter withdrawn? Cr. Falloon: I am afraid not. I would like to consider the matter. In the meantime the resignation stands. His Worship : Do you want it held over till next meeting? - Cr. Falloon: No, the resignation stands.

The Mayor then moved that Cr. FalLoon’s resignation from the three committees be accepted. He asked if there was any seconder. Cr. Hannan: I won’t turn you down; hut I would suggest that I change over with Cr. Falloon, if he does not want to be on the waterworks committee, because the water will take quite a lot of work in future and Cr. Falloon may not have the time.

His Worship: Thank- you, but I havo no option. He resigns or he does not resign. If ho will not withdraw, it must be accepted, and that is why I move. I am not going to go down on my knees and beg a man to withdraw.

Cr. Falloon: I suppose we always want to make a compromise if we get a chance. I will cnange from the waterworks to the streets, if made Chairman of the streets committee. His Worship: I cannot make any bargains with you at all. Cr. Falloon: Oh, well, let it go, then. The motion was carried.