CONSTITUTIONAL PRACTICE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14701, 8 December 1909, Page 5

CONSTITUTIONAL PRACTICE.

A CHAIRMAN'S RULING. At the meeting of the Otago Institute last ovcnlng the chairman (Professor Park) blocked tho business oJ an clcctioi" for a. considerable time by taking up tho liosition that the consent of an übseui nominee ivas requisilo before ho could, as chairman, accept tho ■ nomination for tho position to bo tilled. The matter arose in connection with tho appointment of two governors to the Now Zealand Institute in acoordanco wilb tho New Zealand Institute Act of 1903, which provides that each contributing body shall appoint two governors every alternate year. This year it is onco again tho turn of Otago, and, accordingly, nominations were called for the positions. Before doing so, Professor Park explained tho act, and contended that it had been tho intention of the Legislature, by imposing tho twoyear restriction to tho term of office, that a now personnel should bo appointed each time, and supported thia theory by oiting the practice of the Canterbury Branch. Otago, on the other hand, has appointed Mr G M. Thomson ono of its governors for the last three, and Dr Bonham tho other for tho last two, of the terms. Tho application of Professor Park's plea was, of course, that some now men should this time bo appointed to tho positions of honour.

Notwithstanding this, Dr Benlmm waa again nominated, and then Professor Marshall rose and nominated Mr G. M. Thomson, saying that, though he the desirability on occasion of a circulation of ofhee, ho thought a better prinoiplo wa» the election of the men best qualified for tho position, and those' the two concerned had proved themselves to be.

Professor Park's reply to thia was to refuse to accept the nomination of Mr G M. Thomson, because Professor Marshall had not secured his consent. Professor Marshall and Dr Bcnhani both warmly protested against the adoption of this stand and contended that it was wholly against requirements and precedents. But the chairman remained obdurate.

Professor Marshall then proposed to cut the Rordian knot by postponing the meeting for a week to obtain tho requisito permission, but again the chairman refused to put this motion, saying tho olection must bo decided that night, as it was on the order paper for tho evening, though Dr Bonham iwinted out here that it had never been the custom in the past to appoint, at an annual meeting, and there was no legal obligation whatever to do bo I'ormcrly they had always held a special meeting for the making of the appointment.

Matters having reached this remained there for somo lime,.while a number of members of. the audience rose and reasoned with the chairman, askin" him to withdraw his objection. It should be Raid that, after refusing to accept tho nomination of Mr G. M. Thomson,' Professor Park, after a pause, nominated Dr I'ulcon. though ho did not specifically state in reply to a question whether he had that gentleman's consent. It was also pointed out. in tho discussion that tho committoe in connection with the domestic elections of the institute had just been elected without the consent of a number of tho gentlemen having been obtained, J he position was a deadlock for somo time, till, as member after member asked him to ]icrmit the election to proceed, Professor Park at last withdrew his objection, with however, the stipulation thit the consent of Mr Thomson bo obtained to his election.

Tho election was then proceeded with and from 16 voters Dr Bonham and Mr O. M. Thomson were each returned with 15 votes. This will now make tho fourth occasion on which Mr Thomson has been appointed to the nosilion, which, as all at the meeting admitted, he has filled with' Hie irentost credit, and the third occasion for Dr Bcnhani. who has also unquestionably done excellent work.