MUNICIPAL POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22832, 17 March 1936, Page 10

MUNICIPAL POLITICS

CONTROL BY CAUCUS ALLEGED A FAMILIAR BUGBEAR Arising out of what the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) considered an unnecessary motion brought forward by Cr D. G. M'Millan at last night’s meeting of the City Council, some strong criticism was levelled at the Labour section of the council by Cr A. H. Allen, who, among other allegations, suggested that the Labour members controlled the council by caucus. Mr M'Millan moved—“ That this council congratulates Cr M. Silverstone on his fight to get justice for those unfortunate enough to be dependent on the Charitable Air Board, and expresses the hope that adequate provision will be made for these people by the responsible authorities.” Cr M'Millan said it was increasingly evident that there was something wrong with the administration of outdoor relief, and went on to give an instance of a family who, he said, were suffering as a result of lack of care by the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

Cr Allen asked if Cr M'Millan suggested that anyone sitting around the council table was connected with the allegedly harsh treatment of these people. “ I have suggested already this evening that Cr Silverstone was electioneering, but there are more of them. Cr M'Millan seems to impute that those who do not indulge in silly talk and are not of the same political opinion as himself arc unsympathetic with the unhappy conditions that exist to-day. I object most strongly to Cr M'Millan’s motion. These matters are decided by six of you before you come into the council.”

The Mayor: Are you talking to the chair or to the council?

Cr Allen: lam talking to you. I have noticed you this evening laughing at my discomfiture. It is time the ratepayers woke up to how this council is controlled. Of the 12 of us. six might as well stay away, because the others come into the council with predetermined decisions.

The Mayor denied that he had laughed at Cr Allen and said that he was smiling at something else altogether. Personally he did not think it necessary to pass the motion. The Hospital Board was elected by the people and he did not think it desirable that one public body should be castigated, by another public body. The discussion had served its purpose, and he suggested that Cr M'Millan withdraw his motion. Cr P. Neilson said that the board was certainly elected by the people, but the council and the West Harbour Borough Council had that night elected a member of the board. Yet a member of the council had, in that election, nominated a person whom the people had rejected. “Yes,” declared Cr Neilson, “he nominated the same person who, when asked, ‘How do you treat applicants for outdoor relief, replied, ‘ We keep them right down on the breadline.’ I have said this before and it has never been refuted. I say it again.” Cr J. W. Munro said he was surprised at Cr Allen’s speech. He could not see that there was any imputation against the councillors conveyed in it. Cr Allen: You wouldn’t do it. I will give you credit for that. Mr D. C! Cameron said he would take second place to no one in working for the relief of those in distress, and he honoured Cr Silverstone for what he was doing. The discussion of the doings of one public body by another public body was, however 1 , entirely out of order, and on primaple he must vote against the motion. The motion was lost.