LOCAL BODIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21380, 24 June 1939, Page 7

LOCAL BODIES

Appointments for Party Reasons Principle Assailed By Telegraph—Press Association PALMERSTON, NORTH, June 22. An attack on the methods of appointing Government representatives to local bodies was made by Mr A. E. Mansford, chairman of the Palmerston North Fire Board. He said that it was not a matter of personalities, but he was attacking the principle of the method of appointment. Some appointments were made in Palmerston North recently for political and party reasons. There had been evidence of this in the new appointment on the Massey College Board of Governors. he felt. Mr H. B. Stuckey, who had been replaced on the board, had been chairman of the farm committee since its inception and a member from the inception of the board. “If we went the length and breadth of the Dominion one could not find a man more capable than Mr Stuckey of filling the position. He took the farm over from its commencement, and carried it through the depression, neglecting his own property so that he could devote the necessary time to the college. He saw the farm coming into the condition which he had been planning for years. Then, just when it was coming to fruition, he was told that he was not wanted. He gave very valuable donations of pedigree stock to the college. I cannot for the life of me see why he was displaced for no other reason than a political one. I challenge whoever is responsible for the appointment to say that it is not a political one. “Mr B. H. Collinson, who has been replaced on the Fire Board, has been a member for 10 years, has given time up to meetings, and has made inspections of board property with the loss of his valuable time. He was forever advocating an efficient brigade. Just when we see the brigade becoming a credit to the city and the board he is replaced. If there is any other reason here than a political one I will be pleased to hear it.” Mr Mansford extended a welcome to Mrs Siddels, a new member of the board, who replied that her nomination came from a local organisation to give working class representation on the board. The board recorded appreciation of the valuable service given by Mr Collinson.