RESIGNATION OF CONTROLLER

Southland Times, Issue 24649, 22 January 1942, Page 4

RESIGNATION OF CONTROLLER

INVERCARGILL E.P.S. ORGANIZATION RESULT OF COUNCIL’S RESOLUTION The Chief Controller of the Invercargill Emergency Precautions Service (Mr H. J. Macalister) has resigned from the position of Chief Controller and as a member of the Emergency Precautions Service executive. The resignation, which has been forwarded to the secretary of the Invercargill Emergency Precautions Service (Mr W. F. Sturman), is the result of a resolution passed at a meeting of the Invercargill City Council on Tuesday night.

Mr Macalister, who has been Chief Controller of the Invercargill Emergency Precautions Service since June 16, 1941, has sent the following letter to the secretary:— “It is impossible for me, as Controller of the Invercargill Emergency Precautions Service, to ignore the resolution of the City Council passed on Tuesday night, apparently unanimously. Unfortunately, the City Council’s resolution, and the discussion on it at the meeting, must have the effect of destroying the spirit of co-operation and the confidence of the citizens, which are essential for the carrying out of my duties. URGENCY OF WORK “The fact that the resolution and discussion disclose that councillors are unaware, not only of the importance, magnitude, and urgency of the work both done and to be done by the Emergency Precautions Service, but also of the very nature of the constitution of the organization, does not prevent them having the regrettable effect which I have already mentioned. “As for myself, I have endeavoured to do my job, which has been the big one of co-ordinating and controlling the organization. This was sadly needed and is still incomplete. It has been almost a whole-time job for me. Much remains to be done. Without wholehearted co-operation, a satisfactory coordinated scheme is- impossible. . “I am, therefore, resigning from my office of Chief Controller and as a member of the executive. I trust and hope that my successor will be able to take up the reins where I have dropped them, without any great difficulty. I shall be willing and happy to help him to do so; but I also trust and hope that, in the interests of the community, my successor will have the co-operation and support of all responsible citizens and also of the members of the City Council.”

It. is understood that the resignation will be considered at a meeting of controllers and deputy-controllers this morning.

The following is the motion passed by the City Council at its meeting on Tuesday night:—“That the Minister of National Service be advised that it is the opinion of the Invercargill City Council that as the cost of the E.P.S. must be met by the ratepayers, too much control of the organization is vested in persons other than councillors.”