"PLEASE RESIGN!"

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 880, 5 December 1916, Page 2

"PLEASE RESIGN!"

MUNICIPAL AMENITIES. CR JAMESON AND CR McCOMBS. CITY COUNCIL PUTS ASIDE A MOTION. An unusual amount of interest was taken in last evening's meeting of the Christchurch City Council, because Cr J. 0. Jameson had given notice that he would move:—"That Mr James McCombs be requested to lender forthwith his resignation as a member of the Christchurch City Council." The public portion of the Council Chamber was fully occupied by people who eagerly awaited the discussion. When the council had worked through the agenda paper to the motion, there was clearly an atmosphere of hostility noticeable in (he Council itself. By the time Cr Jameson had had his say, however, the atmosphere was changed—but not to one of sympathy with the motion. It was not put to the vote. Immediately the Council reached the item on the order paper, Cr H. F. Herbert rose. "According to the standing orders, seven days' notice of motion is required," he said. The Mayor: No. Two clear days. Cr. Jameson: Since I gave notice of motion, I have been assured by two gentlemen in whom I place confidence that Cr McCombs will not seek re-election at the end of the term. That being so, I don't wish to pursue the matter further, and I am prepared to withdraw the motion. Cr McCombs, M.P.: If I were dealing with a man I'd know exactly what to do. But I'm dealing with that As he spoke, Cr McCombs indicated Cr Jameson, and emphasised the word "that." Cr Jameson rose, and so did the Mayor, who saitl that there should be no personal references. Cr McCombs: I'm not making personal references. I have not completed the sentence, and I don't intend to. Cr Jameson still protested, and asked that the word "that" should be taken down. Addressing Cr McCombs, the Mayor quoted the standing orders, and repeated that no personal references could be permitted. Cr McCombs: I've made none. However, I accept your Worship's ruling. I want to say emphatically that I am not going to give Cr Jameson or anyone else an assurance that I do not intend to seek reelection. A chorus of "Hear! Hear!" came from the back of the Council Chamber. The Mayor: Order in the gallery, please. Cr McCombs said that it seemed to be the wish of Cr Jameson to harm the reputation of a fellow councillor, but he was prepared to give Cr Jameson the opportunity as a gentleman—and he did not ask the Council to make Cr Jameson act as a gentleman—lo make the amende honorable under the circumstances. (Hear! Hear!) Cr Jameson: Well, Mr Mayor, apparently I was misinformed. But, whichever way it is, I move the resolution.

The Mayor: You've asked to be allowed to withdraw it, and I was waiting to see if you expressed regret to Cr McCombs. Cr Jameson: I don't feel called upon to do so. I had wished that someone more capable would move the motion, but when I read a telegram despatched to Australia, and bearing the signature of Cr McCombs, it made me think it was rather a peculiar telegram to be despatched by a member of the Christchurch City Council. And when I see in the Dunedin papers that his authority to sign the telegram has been disclaimed by some of the people in Dunedin, on whose behalf he sent the telegram, and to-day 1 read in the papers that some of the gentlemen to whom he sent it have been treated as rebels and incarcerated, some of them for up to 15 years .

Cr Sullivan: Nonsense, Cr Jameson ! Nonsense! Cr Jameson went on to say that he had not prepared a long indictment. One heard much about scraps of paper nowadays, and there was one scrap of paper to which he would like to draw Cr McCombs's attention, and that was his (Cr McCombs's) oath of allegiance to King George V. He had taken the oath to be faithful and to bear true allegiance to his Majesty. Cr McCombs: Haven't I been faithful? Cr Jameson: I may be wrong, and I may be right, ami I will leave it to the pubiic lo judge. But in my opinion it is not the act of a loyal and faithful British subject to stir up strife in Australia at a time like this. With regard to the opinion at Lyltelton, that will be expressed later on, no doubt, and the voters will show at the poll what they think of this, and when the next election comes off they will register their votes for one more loyal. Cr Jameson went on lo say that members of Ihe council seemed not :.) have noticed the wording of the manifesto, and he would like lo read some extracts from it. He started to read an extract, but diverged, and said that every man who thought twice nowadays must be more or less a Socialist. "Personally, I," he started, but when there was a mutter of "Hear! hear!" he said he was not anxious to be a red flagger or one who wanted lo break up things. Alter drawing a parallel with a cricket team, which must have one man as captain, he said that to-day some men objected lo have someone as a captain, lie was glad to say they were a very small minority, but the doctrine they preached was extremely dangerous lo Ihe welfare of

the State. "And I don't think we

should wink," he added, "at actions such as the actions of Cr McCombs in endeavouring to stir up strife at the present juncture."

Cr Jameson then detailed the moral of one of /Fsop's fables. He explained that /Fsop was a slave in days when there was no Arbitration Court, and that he rose to a position of eminence in the State and gave good advice in times of strife and turmoil.

Cr Sullivan: There are still hopes for some of us, Cr Jameson. "Perhaps I'm talking a little bit round the point," admitted Cr Jameson. He told the fable, which had the moral that "union is strength." "At a time like the present," he added, "when we are at death grips in Europe, to stir up strife, instead of persevering to bring about unity, can only be taken as an act of disloyalty, especially from a member of Parliament, who has taken the oath of allegiance to the King. ... If Cr McCombs likes to admit that it was a fact that he had made some plans to go to Australia to join the referendum people or such I am prepared to withdraw " The Mayor: I think this has been ventilated enough, and we should proceed to the next business. Cr J. McCullough: Is it a matter we can deal with? I should like to ask that before we go on. The Mayor: No. Cr F. Burgoyne: Then what right had the notice of motion to be accepted? The Mayor: I did go into the standing orders very carefully, and the notice of motion was in order. Cr McCombs: T think we should accept his Worship's idea. It would be ridiculous on my part to attempt lo reply to the painful and rather stupid speech we have just listened to. The council promptly carried a motion to proceed to the next business.