LIVELY DEBATE

Southland Times, Issue 22107, 30 August 1933, Page 8

LIVELY DEBATE

COUNCIL MEETING RETURNED SOLDIERS’ REQUEST LOAN OF EMPLOYEE An apparently innocent request from the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association that the City Council allow Mr J. Burke, of the City Corporation Garden staff, to take complete charge of the laying down of the bowling green gave rise to a somewhat heated discussion at the meeting of the council last evening. After Councillor J. H. Tattersfield had moved, and Councillor W. M. C. Denham had seconded, that-the request be granted, Councillor C. J. Brodrick said there was a resolution on the minute book by which the heads of departments were empowered to appoint their own men as they thought fit. He submitted that this resolution would have to be rescinded before permission to use Mr Burke could be granted. The superintendent of reserves should have the say in the matter. The Mayor, Mr John Miller, said that no resolution had been carried as Councillor Brodrick suggested. In any case it had nothing to do with the request under consideration. Councillor Brodrick said he thought the resolution had been carried last

March. The . minute book was sent ton While it was being obtained Councillor H. Ritchie said that when the question of granting the site had been discussed Councillor Hewat had suggested that the council _ should have some supervision in the improvements being effected. The council had agieeci to give the services of the engineer and superintendent of reserves if necessary. “Mr Burke,” he continued, “has had considerable experience of this class of job. Returned soldiers have worked under him and have confidence in him. I spoke to the Mayor about the matter, telling .hun that the Returned Soldiers’ Association wanted Mr Burke. I asked him if I should see the chairman of the Reserves . Committee, but he did not think this was necessary. I called on the superintendent of reserves and told him we wanted Mr Burke. ‘Mr Burke. What does he know about it?’ he had replied. I answered that that was probably for us to say. After talking the matter over further I left him quite satisfied that he was willing for Mr Burke to act for us. The position is that though the superintendent might not have a high opinion of Mr Burke’s ability others who have known him longer think highly of him.” Councillor Webb’s Point. “The point I see,” said Councillor Webb, “is that there are a tremendous Jot of unemployed men from, whose ranks some could be found quite well qualified for the job; yet we are asked to give one of our permanent hands for the work. That is. keeping a returned soldier out of a job. lam surprised at the action of the Returned Soldiers’ Association.” “You’ve got the wrong end ot the stick,” said Councillor Ritchie. The minutes had by this time been consulted and the Mayor asserted that there was no resolution bearing on the point. He read what he said was the onlv reference to the matter, but Councillors Tapley and Brodrick submitted that there was another clause. “My memory serves me well,” said the Mayor. “There was no motion. He then read an extract from a confidential report of the superintendent in which he wanted authority to put men where he liked at his own discretion and to the best advantage. “Nothing was done in the matter, added his Worship. “We should get a report, from the superintendent whether it is convenient for him to transfer Mr Burke, said Councillor Tapley. “Why was not the chairman of the Reserves Committee seen? If a councillor has a request to make I think he should consult the chairman of the committee concerned.” “Councillor Ritchie has already explained that aspect of the matter, said the Mayor. “It is correct that he saw me and I believe I said, it was hardly necessary to see the chairman. “Playing Babies.” “I maintain that the chairman should have been consulted,” said Councillor Tapley. “That’s playing babies,” declared Councillor Ritchie. “I quite agree with Councillor Tapley,” said Councillor T. O’Byrne. The matter should not have been taken out of the superintendent’s hands. The site concerned is in the centre of the city and should be properly laid out. The superintendent is our expert. He should have the decision. Otherwise a reflection is cast on him. I move an amendment that the matter be left in the hands of the superintendent. “Returned soldiers have worked under Mr Burke,” said Councillor Ritchie before the amendment was seconded. “They have confidence in his ability. If Mr Burke is not granted no one else will be availed of.” “Possibly the chairman of the Reserves Committee feels a little slighted,” said Councillor G. J. Reed, “but I am sure Councillor Ritchie did not intend any slight. Would it not. be best to give the Returned Soldiers’ Association Mr Burke? Whether he is the best or not they want him.” Councillor Brodrick said he did not feel slighted, but he did not think the superintendent should not be overridden. “I agree with Councillor Reed,” said Councillor J. A. Doig. “If the Returned Soldiers’ Association thinks Mr Burke good enough, let them have him. If he makes a mess of the job it’s their funeral; if he makes a good job, they will be satisfied.” The Mayor’s Comments. “I would just, like to say what I think regarding the interview between Councillor Ritchie and the superintendent,” said the Mayor. “The matter would have been settled easily if Mr Mansfield had said: ‘I can’t do this without consulting the council,’ or ‘l’ll be very pleased to let you have Mr Burke if the council is agreeable.’ Neither course was adopted or a lot of discussion to-night would have been saved. The position is simply that the Returned Soldiers’ Association wants a particular man. Why, I do not know. Is the council going to grant its request?” Councillor A. W. Jones said that he thought that the position could be cleared up without councillors getting at loggerheads. He moved an amendment that the matter be referred back to the committee with the recommendation that it grant Mr Burke’s services if possible. Councillor Webb asked the Mayor What was the position regarding Councillor O’Byrne’s amendment. Was it held to be in order? If it were he Would second it. The Mayor said he would not accept It on the ground that it was a direct negative. m , Councillor R. N. Todd seconded Councillor Jones’s amendment. “The Returned Soldiers’ Association has some rights in the matter,” said Councillor W. M. C. Denham. “I have merely made a request. Why is so

much fuss being made about procedure?” “There is a principle involved,” said Councillor O’Byrne. Not Been Asked. “I don’t think so,” said Councillor Denham. “There is merely a request from the Returned Soldiers’ Association and no overriding of the superintendent. He has not objected.” “That is true. The superintendent has already been asked,” said the Mayor. “I see no necessity to refer the matter back to the committee,” said Councillor B. W. Hewat. “We all know the work that Mr Burke is doing. We know that he can be temporarily replaced if necessary. I think the request should be granted.” “The superintendent has not been asked by the council,” said Councillor Brodrick. “He has voiced his objection to me.” “That’s not the point,” said the Mayor. He then put the amendment which was lost by 7 votes to 6. The voting was as follows: For Against The Mayor Councillors Councillors O’Byrne Doig _ Tapley Ritchie Brodrick Tattersfield Todd Hewat Webb Reed Jones Denham The motion granting the request was then put and carried. An Objection. “I should like to make this observation,” said Councillor Tapley. “When a councillor rises to express an opinion at this table he does so in good faith. I object to Councillor Ritchie’s reference to a remark I made as ‘playing babies.’ ” “I didn’t hear it,” said the Mayor. “But I would like councillors to cut out all personal remarks.” A chorus of “Hear, hears” showed that councillors concurred.