Chairman Replaced; Explanation Wanted; Storm At Meeting

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1938, Page 3

Chairman Replaced; Explanation Wanted; Storm At Meeting

rpi'L ITSFAI.Iv t’ALiVI ATMOSPHERE OF THE MAUNCSATUtIOTO DAIRY COMPANY'S ANNUAL MEETING' WAS DISTURBED JUST PRIOR TO THE LUNCHEON ADJOURNMENT ON WEDNESDAY, WHEN A SUPPLIER. MR M. MARAS. INQUIRED FROM THE CHAIRMAN, MR D. A. FINLAYSON, THE REASON WHY THE LATE CHAIRMAN, MR F. E. CULLEN. “HAD BEEN PUT CUT CF THE CHAIR.” At the 1937 annual meeting. Mr Cullen, who had then completed 21 years’ service as chairman, was the recipient of many good wishes from the suppliers, while a motion eulogising his long service to the company was placed on the minifies. At a subsequent meeting of the board. Mr D. A. Finlayson was elected chairman for the 1937-38 period. Mr Finlayson called for questions upon the report and balance sheer. The first came from Mr Maras, and the atmosphere became electrical. sd>- .

Able Service for 31 Years. i “Why," asked Mr Maras, was Mr Cullen put out of tire chair when a motion of thanks and confidence ? ’ ‘•Not confidence.” interrupted the chairman. “No reference is made to confidence in that motion." ‘•Well, 1 thought it said confidence," continued Mr Maras, “but it does not i matter 1 . We gave him a. vote of thanks at any rale, and he served usably and well for 21 years.” “This is a public meeting, and the Press are here. We do not -want this broadcast, over ail Now Zealand." said the chairman. Mr F. E. Cullen; "1 think it is due—" The chairman: “Sit down. Mr Cullen.” Mr Cullen started to speak again, but at the request of the chairman he resumed his seat. Mr E. Underwood (vigorously): “I think Mr Cullen should be allowed to make a statement and defend himself. It is only fair play to allow that." Confidence in Directorate. A motion of confidence in the directors and chairman, moved by Mr Parsons and seconded by Mr Balderson. was carried on the voices. “I think I should have the right to make a statement," said Mr Cullen, addressing Ihe chairman. “I think 11n is meeting as a whole.” said Mr T. Wilson, “should have the right to say whether it is to discuss this question. Last year I proposed the vote of thanks to Mr Cullen, and I withdraw nothing of what I said at that meeting, but I would resent, and I feel sure we all would, anything in the nature of discourtesy to Mr Cullen or our present board of directors.

Public Discussion Unwanted

“I still feel we should make some practical recognition of the work done for us by Mr Cullen,” continued the speaker. “In, the past he has given us yeoman service, but yet, if we call the board to account for all they have done, we are going to put them into the position of having to broadcast the private discussions of the board. Mr Cullen gave us 21 of the best years of his life, but if a cnange is made we must bow to the board unless something definitely irregular is shown to have taken place, making a change necessary, and I know of nothing like that.” “I want to thank Mr Wilson for what he has just said,” said Mr Cullen, “but it seems to me that If any change was contemplated It should have been voiced at the annual meeting. I claim here and now the right to make an explanation.” “Chairmanship Rests With Directors.” “Mr Cullen has overlooked the articles of association, where it is definitely laid down that the function of the suppliers is to elect the directors, but the directors shall elect their own chairman,” said the chairman, “and Mr Cullen is out. of order in bringing this up. I agree with Mr Wilson that it would be impossible to ventilate all the circumstances leading up to the change.

“A Hidden Threat.” ‘T claim once more the right to make a statement," said. Mr Cullen. "I have served this company for 29 years, and if Mr Finlayson wants to divulge any reasons for making the change, I'll lay all my cards on the table." No Explanation at Meeting. The chairman (to the meeting): "Do you want to thresh this out in public?" Chorus of "Noes." "Well that finishes it." commented the chairman. The discussion then lapsed, without any motion being passed, and the meeting resumed the even tenor of its way until late in the afternoon, when a ripple ruffled the smooth surface once more. It was the same topic over again. Mr Wilson said that during the luncheon interval he had been approached by a number of suppliers with a view to bringing forward a suggestion that the directors be asked to procure some address or gift to be given io Mr Cullen from the suppliers, in token of his long and faithful service to the company. "While 1 appreciate the kind words of Mr Wilson." said Mr Cullen. "I do not want you to spend your hardearned money on me. f would have preferred that you had given me the opportunity \o make a statement and defend myself. J will address you all by circular letter, setting nut the true facts of the case in the very near future?’ concluded the speaker.