COMMITTEE RESIGNS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 265, 8 October 1942, Page 5

COMMITTEE RESIGNS

CHRISTOHURCH E.P.S. (P.A.) CHRISTCHUBCH, Oct. 7. The resignation of the committee which has organised the Christehurch Metropolitan E.P.S. was placed before the central committee to-day. The organising committee in a letter to the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) said they had come to the conclusion that they and the regional commissioner, Colonel W. T. Churchward, could not both function at the same time if efficiency were required. The members of the organising committee are Messrs W. Machin (chairman), W. S. Mae Gibbon, M. E. Lyons, and W. H. E. Flint.

The central committee decided to call a meeting- of all responsible members of the section committees at which they will be asked "whether they will choose four men to replace the organising committee and be willing to accept the ordors of the regional commissioner; or whether they will support the organising committee in its contention that the regional commissioner should bo recalled by the Government." The Mayor said he received the resignation of the committee on August 27, but had delayed accepting it in the hope that the difficulties could be solved. He had now received a second letter. He read both to the central committee. The first complained of interference by Government officials with the metropolitan E.P.S. organisation. The second said that till recently it had been possible to get imperfect and unworkable instructions modified, but lately there had been a regional commissioner placed in authority who had issued orders and instructions which in the organising committee's opinion were inimical to efficiency. The Minister of Civil Defence had promised that theso questions should be discussed beforo alterations were made, and promises were made that the Director of National Service and other high national officers would discuss matters with tho organising confmittco before changes wore imposed. "Instead, wo now rccoive orders and instructions in terms which are arrogant and offensive to men who, over long careers, have learned something of organisation and which, addressed to our chief warden, are derogatory," stated the letter. Tho Mayor told tho central committee that ho had been "subjected to the same sort of thing." His tribute to the value of the work of tho organising committee was supported by other speakers and • a motion was passed that tho meeting bo called.