"GERMAN BIRTH."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12176, 27 November 1917, Page 4

"GERMAN BIRTH."

OBJECTION TO CHAIR MAN r .

HOSPITAL BOARD DISCTSSION,

A special meeting of the Ashburton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday for the purpose of electing a. chairman, the meeting being the first of the new board. There were present Messrs Hugo Friedlander (in the chair), TV. J. Dickie, M.P., F. W. Watt, C. W. Nicoll. T. Doherty, H. J. Harrison, C. Re id and J. Cairns. Doubts were expressed aa to the proper mode of procedure.

Mr C. W. Nicoll moved that the clerk should take the chair till after the election of chairman.

Mr Dickie seconded the motion. Mr Friedlander declined to accept' the motion, on the ground that he was chairman till his successor was appointed. If the members had not confidence in him to conduct properly they should pass a vote of censure.

Mr Reid said it would be a dangerous thing to say that the board could not move a resolution that the chairman vacate the chair- He was simply questioning the chairman's ruling ou the point.

The chairman said he would take nominations.

Mr Harrison moved that Mr Friedlander bo elected chairman till the end oi the term, March 30, 1918. Mr Cairns seconded the motion. Mr Xicoll said he wished to protect mast strongly against a person of German birth holding the position of chairman of the board. He was not /i equated by any personal feeling against Mr Friedlander; such feelings were almost unavoidable in these times- These were abnormal times, and whilst they were at death grips with the country of the chairman's birth it was quite unfitting and improper that a naturalised Gennan should hold the chief position on a public body, composed of patrioticBritishers. He'moved—"That one of British blood and birth in the person of Mr W. J. Dickie, M.P., be chairman of the board." The motion was seconded by Mr Doherty.

Mr Dickie said he fully recognised the able manner in which Mr Friedlander had conducted the business of the hoard, hut to-day British subjects were out to get a victory, and it would be good policy for a person of German birth to stand down. He knew Mr Friedlander was most loyal, but under the circumstances it would be better for him to stand down. We were out fighting for our very existence, and he could not, support Mr Friedlander on this occasion. There was no doubt tna« feeling was verv strong, and it wouia bo wise in Mr Friedlander not to seek re-election. Mr Reid thought Mr Friedlander should decline to occupy any public position as a protest against the inhumanity which was being shown by the Germans at the present time, lha chairman had done good work, but no was of opinion that the position ot chairman should go round. Mr Watt said he would support Mr Friedlander's nomination, because ho was satisfied that there were other than patriotic reasons for Mr Dickie's nomination. . , Mr Nicoll said the question of nationality was his sole reason for bringing up"the matter. Mr Friedlander said he did not knowwhether he was responsible for wha» the members had said about his nationality. H e was certainly not responsible himself for the country m which he was born. He had' never done anything to forfeit confidence sine© he had been naturalised, and h 0 had been aa loyal and patriotic as anyone had been. In proof of his loyalty he remarked, that in a family of four brothers there were nine sons who had gone to the front. One ot his brothers had a son who went withj the Main Body. He himself had two ; sons who were serving, and two otb er j brothers had two sons also serving wish ( the British. . , ~ ' Mr Nicoll: What about the brothers in Germany? , Mr Friedlander, continuing, said that he was as patriotio aa anyone. He was not going to retire from the; positions he held, as he was not going to give anyone the opportunity to say that he was not a loyal subject. Ir he Avas to go down, he would do so with the flag flying. => A vote was then taken on the nominations, with the following results':— W. J. Dickie, 4 (Messrs Dickie, Dohertv, Reid and Nicoll); H. Friedlander, 4" (Messrs Friedlander, Cairns, Watt - and Harrison). J It was decided to draw lots by put-, ting the names of both candidate! jn. a hat, Avitii th e result that Mr Dickie avbs elected chairman. *•■ 1

Mr Dickie again assured the boajrd that he had no personal feelinft.':whJjPever against Mr Friedlander, \vho md always carried l out his dutieß as.chairman of the board on the highest plane. He had much pleasure in moving—- " That tho hoard records a hearty vote of high appreciation of the manner in which Mr Friedlander had conducted the business of the board."

The motion was peoonded by Mr Nicoll and carried unanimously..