"STRAIGHT AND ABOVE BOARD"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17871, 28 February 1920, Page 6

"STRAIGHT AND ABOVE BOARD"

BREEZE AT THE HARBOUR BOARD. \ MR LARNACH 'WANTS CONSTITUTIONAL PROCEDURE. -Tho, actual object of a motion moved by Mr Tapley (chairman) at the meeting of the Harbour Board last evening was studiously avoided by members in the rather heated discussion which the motion evoked. Certainly Mr Larnaeh strongly hinted that there was something more in the motion than it appeared to convey. The agenda paper baldly stated "office stall'" in introducing the motion The Chairman moved—"That* the action of the Standing Committee in referring to a sub-committee tho secretary's minute of January 24 be ratified and adopted; that the• sub-committoe be directed to report to tho Standing Committee, and that the Standing Committee have power to act." He said that the Standing Committee had referred a minute by the secretary to a subcommittee. When that sub-committee met one of the members raised the point that the Standing Committee in referring the minute to a sub-committee had acted in an unconstitutional manner. The motion was intended'to put the matter right, and the Bub-committee could, of course, report to the Standing Committee. He did not think it was necessary to say any more, nor did ha think that it required any discussion. •Mr Moller said he would second the motion pro forma. He maintained, however, that the final ratification of any such business must be done bv the board. The Chairman said that the Standing Committee had power to. deal with anything in connection with tho management of the staff or details of that kind. Mr Mollex: Nothing can be dono unless it comes before tho open board. Mr Laxnach said he did not know how they could expect to get this motion . through. Ho had objected to the subcommittee being set up on the ground that it was unconstitutional. Let them havo things straight and above-board. The Chairman: I object to that stato- ; ment—straight and above-board. I ask you to withdraw it Mr Larnaeh: I won't withdraw it. The Chairman: You won't withdraw it? Mr Larnaeh again toso to his feet. • ''Sit down! Or Larnaeh," cried the chairman. "I call you to order." "Sit down; sit down!" repeated, other members of the board Mr L&rrtach sat down. The Chairman said he did not desire to have any unpleasantness—they had had no unpleasantness on tho board during his term of chairmanship. He objected to Mr Larnaeh saying that anything that had baen done was not straight and above-board. The Standing Committee had submitted the secretary's minute to a sub-committee. Mr Larriaoh' was on tho Standing Committee, and voted that tho minute should be referred to tho sub-committee. When ho had come along he had said that tho proceeding was unconstitutional, and that the board had ho power to act in such a manner, and he would not allow thorn to go on. He did not think it was a very reasonable action on Mr Larnach's part to raise the question again that night. Mr Larnaeh wanted to know -what tho chairman meant by_ saying ho hnd an ulterior motivo in his action. Mr Galbraith said ho would like to know what was tho Teal moaning of the Standin? Committee having povrcr to act. Tho Chairman sai'' tho Standing Committee—which was really tho board—had power to adopt the secretary's minute or otherwise. But the Standing Committee could, of course, refer tho mattor to tho board. Ho thought it would be a kindness if tnoy wonlo. allow the business to remain -with tho Standing Committee and not como before the board. They were out to keep this matter as a departmental affair. If members decided to bring it before tho board well and good. v Mr Larnaoh again suggested that, they should have things straight and above board. Th'e Chairman suggested that tho words " and that the Standing Committee have power to act " at tho end of the motion should he deleted. Ho said ho -would move th »t those words be deleted. This> motion was seconded. Mr Lnrnach: T object to a mib-eommittec brirpf sot up under the Standing Committee.' " Sit down, Mr Larnaeh," called the chairman. "T will take a vote." The motion to delete tho wards was carried. Mr Larnaeh: Enter my protest against this motion. Enter my protest against tho whole motion. Mr Maler said that now the motion had boon amended it was abooltttely right that the inrrairy must start all ovor again. After further discussion the motion (as nnvmd"c") was carried. Mr Larnaeh asked that his protest bo re- ' coi-dod. The Chairman «i.M he regrofted that foiling had been introduced into the disrnsnion. He did not think Mr Larnaeh m".'>nt it. Mr Lnrnach drily remarked Hint h~ only "•anted tliincs done in a, constitutional way. That was all. They mnst think what tho motion -was pleading t%