Offices Resigned

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 67, 21 March 1935, Page 3

Offices Resigned

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS manager. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Marcli IS. The resignation of 'Mr Frank Thompson, general manager and secretary of the Christchurch Tramways Board, positions he has held since 1910 and 1903 respectively, was accepted with regret by the board at a meeting today. In his letter of resignation, Air Thompson said that carrying out (he policy of the present board had caused him considerable discomfort from time to time in relation to the men who did not go out on strike in 1932 and to the new men who were engaged at that time.As this would become accentuated in tho future, he felt he could not gi\c the board the loyalty it would expect. His personal relations with tho board, ho added, had not been very pleasant. Air Thompson’s letter of resignation was as follows:—“Since the present board came into office in November, 1933, 1 have endeovoured to carry out its policy. This, however, has caused me considerable discomfort from time to time in relation to the men who were engaged at that time. As this will, .1 fear, become accentuated as time goes on, I feel that as I cannot give the board the loyalty it would expect in this matter I must tender you my resignation of the position of general manager and secretary. The regulations require me to give the board six months’ notice of this resignation. 1 would be glad to finish up several matters which are at present incomplete in form, but when this is done perhaps the board would permit mo to retire then. Aly personal relations with you, sir (tho chairman, Rev. J. K. Archer) and with all members of the board have been very pleasant, and I have received courteous and friendly treatment at all times. I appreciate this exceedingly. It has made my decision tho more difficult.’’ Air Archer said the letter had come as a complete surprise to him. AllThompson and members of the board had not quits agreed on all points, but as far as tho speaker knew there had never been disagreement on any big subject. Air Archer added that he was surprised that Air Thompson said the board’s actions had caused him discomfort. The board was responsible to the citizens who elected it, and it was not necessary or desirable for the general manager to adopt such a policy as his own.

Air C. E. Jones, one of the two nonLabour members of the board, said that obviously Air Thompsou had been nervous of the future for some members of the board’s staff. Mr Jones said that from his own knowledge of the minds of some members of the board certain of its employees had good reason to be apprehensive. Air J. Mathison (Labour), referring to the resignation, said: “It is tho onlv possible thing for him to do, and there are a few others in tho sendee, not necessarily high executive officers, who, if they were honest, would take the same action as Air Thompson. They are not giving tho board their loyalty for political reasons.’*