NO ACTION TAKEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 264, 6 October 1936, Page 10

NO ACTION TAKEN.

LETTERS TO CITY COUNCIL. RECENT SUBJECTS OF DISPUTE. Three letters, one referring to the dismissal of members of the staff, and two regarding the relationship of Cr. J. Hodgens, M.P., with the Palmerston North City Council, came before a meeting of the council, last evening, and all were formally received, no action being taken.

Formal notification was received from Mr J. P. Queenan that at a combined meeting held at the Opera House on September 22, 193 G, the following resolution was passed: —“That this representative meeting request His Worship the Mayor and councillors of the Palmerston North City Council to replace Messrs Martin and Simms in their respective positions from which they were displaced on August 11 without sufficient reason. In view of the fact of the long and faithful service they had rendered to the Palmerston North City Council, this meeting considered that it would be only just for His Worship the Mayor and city councillors to hear the case in full from their union representative. As had been requested on previous occasions, the long terms of IT and 13 years’ service warrant more just treatment than they have already experienced. This would only be British justice, which every citizen has a right to.” “1 move that the letter be received and that this organisation be advised that the council has given the matter every consideration and doesc not propose to take any further action,” said the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford).

The motion was seconded by_ Cr. W. B. Cameron and carried without comment.

Advice was received from the hon. secretary of the Terrace End brand) of the Labour Party that it had passed the following resolution “That this meeting of the Labour Party .»t Palmerston North request the Mavor and councillors of this city to consider their decision in displacing Councillor J. Hodgens, M.P., from the committees as suggested by the resolution moved by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Tennent; also that the Mayor be asked to reopen this matter an dallow. both sides to state their case; in the meantime Councillor Hodgens be permitted to function in his former positions as a councillor.” The Mayor moved that the letter be received and that the organisation concerned be advised that Cr. Hodgens had had every opportunity of presenting his case to the council, and also that the matter had been considered, and that the council did not propose to take further action. Cr. W. B. Tennent seconded the motion. Cr. G. Tremaine referred to the last part of the motion which had stated: “In the meantime Cr. Hodgens be permitted to function in his former positions as a councillor.” The Mayor: That is already done. Cr. Tremaine: There seems to be some misapprehension as to how long the suspension lasted. The Mayor: The suspension was for that night only. That could be ' pointed out in the letter. The motion was then carried. The request was made, in a letter received from the local secretary of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, that the following resolution passed at a general meeting held on September 24, 1936, be placed before the council: —“We, the members of the Palmerston North branch of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, protest against the action of councillors on the Palmerston North City Council in dealing with the position of Cr. Hodgens, M.P., and the positions he held on the council, without first giving him the right to state his case and defend himself at the council table. Further, that in the interests of the citizens of Palmerston North and the City Council we feel that this would clear up a position that all are interested in and be in the best interests of all. Failing this request receiving favourable consideration, then the present council resign and create an election, and again contest their seats on the basis of their present action, when the people of Palmerston North will be able to democratically judge for themselves.” “No doubt they could,” remarked the Mayor, when the last phrase was read. He then moved that the letter be received and that the writers be advised along similar lines to the other replies. The motion was seconded by Cr. A. A. Langley and carried.