MAYOR DEFIED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22365, 12 September 1934, Page 13

MAYOR DEFIED

ANGRY SCENE IN CHRISTCHURCH COUNCILLOR REFUSES TO LEAVE MEETING A short but angry debate between the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) and Cr A. E. Armstrong followed Cr Armstrong’s q]legation that the Mayor had told a lie during a meeting of the Christchurch City Council ou Monday night. Cr Armstrong defied the Mayor’s order to withdraw, and then his order to leave the council chamber. An appeal to the council brought a motion of confidence in the Mayor’s control of the council and censure of Cr Armstrong’s behaviour. The scene occurred (says Christchurch Press) during the Mayor’s reference to Cr Armstrong’s support of the introduction of a 40-hour week, which a report before the meeting reviewed. The Mayor said that Cr Armstrong for a long time had claimed the support of the relief workers on the ground that he had advocated many reforms similar to that at present being considered. However, Cr Armstrong had been a member of the council for long enough to know all manner of procedure, and he must have known that the time to discuss any serious suggestion for a 40-hour week was when the estimates were being considered. When the estimates were considered this year Cr Armstrong “sat tight and did not say boo " Cr Armstrong: That’s a lie. The Mayor: Withdraw that remark. Cr Armstrong: I will not withdraw it. “ Leave the meeting,” ordered the Mayor, after vainly requesting Cr Armstrong to I’esume his seat, and ringing his bell loudly. “ I refuse to leave the meeting,’" shouted Cr Armstrong (who had resumed his seat). “It was a lie. Every councillor round this table knows that it was a lie.”

A SECOND CHANGE TO WITHDRAW. The Mayor replied: “I want to give you a fair chance. It is perfectly open to you to state that what 1 said was misrepresentation of the facts. You cannot accuse a councillor of lying.” “ Very well,” said Cr Armstrong. . I will withdraw. But I accuse you of misrepresentation, gross misrepresentation, and cowardly—you are cowardly to the core.” The Mayor again rang his bell loudly for several seconds, and, while Cr Armstrong continued from his seat to accuse the Mayor of cowardice, added: “Cr Armstrong, you arc not fit to be a member. of a public body.” The Mayor then asked the council what action it proposed to take about Cr Armstrong’s conduct. Cr J. K. Archer moved that the council express confidence in the rulings of the Mayor and of his conduct of the meeting, and express disapproval of .Cr Armstrong’s attitude. . “ Thank you, Cr Hayward,” said Cr Armstrong, ironically, when Cr W. Hayward seconded the motion. After the motion had been carried the Mayor thanked the council lor its expression of confidence and for its disapproval of “ the abominable attitude of Or A. Armstrong.” . Shortly afterwards the Mayor, acting within the standing orders, varied: the order of business to pass over a notice of motion standing in the name of Cr Armstrong. The council, went into committee, and immediately it resumed in open council a motion for the adjournment, moved by Cr Archer, was carried.