A PARTY DIVISION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16470, 5 July 1921, Page 4

A PARTY DIVISION.

WARM WORDS IN COUNCIL.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE.

Feeling ran high at the meeting of the City Council last night on a motion by Councillor (J. sv . Hervev that Councillor W. H. "NY in For should be elected chairman of the Y orks succession to ex-Councillor Agar. Councillor A. "Williams seconded the motion.

Councillor D. G. Sullivan moved an amendment that the position should not be filled until the vacancy on the council was filled. This he said, was fhe proper course, but it looked ns if there was a definite purpose in view in moving the motion in favour of Councillor Winsor at that stage.

Councillor F. R. Cooke, in seconding the amendment, said that the councillor who resigned was chairman of the committee, and if he decided to accept nomination and was returned to the council it would he premature to fill the place nor.

Councillor A. M’Kellar said that the most important committee of the council should have a definite head, to carry on. If Councillor Agar was returned Councillor Winsor might resign.

Councillor H. F. Herbert, in supporting the nomination of Councillor Winsor, said that he had shown ability and adaptability second to no member of the council, and nobody could more capably fill the position. If Mr Agar was returned he would come in as a new councillor.

Councillor "FT. T. Armstrong said that in a couple of weeks it was almost certain that an ex-chairman of the Yorks Committee (Mr J. AY. Beanland) would be returned to the council, and it seemed as if somebody was particularly anxious to get in ahead of his election, and it looked bad coming from those of Mr Beanland’s party. “Independents,” said Councillor Hervey.

“‘lndependents’ until yon get into the council,” said Councillor Armstrong, “ but as soon as you get in you are more securely in the pockets of the leader of the party than any of them.” “ I resent that,” said Councillor Herbert. “Tt is tout crowd, not us.” “ T am glad you say ‘ us.’ *’ said Councillor Armstrong. He added that it was an attempt to take advantage, in his absence, of Councillor Hunter, who was well fitted to hold the position, and to get a point on to Air BennInnd. Councillor Winsor could continue as acting-chairman. Councillor AY. H. W insor said that h is. nomination, had raised a storm in a teacup, hut those who opposed it might he justified. Tf he *ras elected and certain other gentlemen were also elected. and it was a. question ofi his retiredin out being necessary in the interests of the cifv he would be the first to stand

down. . _ , Councillor J. A. Flesher said that the council should proceed with the appointment, for the committee required a definite head. Councillor Y insor would attend to the business most satisfactorilv. He opposed Councillor Hunter because his position was inconsistent with the chairmanship of the commitThe amendment to defer the matter for a full council meeting was defeated by 9 votes to 5. Councillor Y insor did n °Coundilor Archer then moved that, Councillor H. Hunter should be appointed chairman ot the Ho said that ho regretted the ne, e.sity of repeating the statement that ho had never sat on a local bodj showed such a. lack of the spirit ot iairplav and sportsmanship. He had never seen such a continuous display of partisanship as there was round the table. He had full- confidence Hi Councillor Winsor, but he was simply being put in io keep a Labour man out. he chairmanships were being taken by the force of. the vote. Neither among the representatives of the Citizens’ Association nor the independents were there all the brains. The Labour members did not claim to be their superiors, but certainly they were their equals. Councillor liunter had heen acting-chair-man, not once like Councillor Y insor, but many times. Councillor* >- issher’s argument about Councillor Hunter s position was trifling; for Councillor Winsor was a private trader, and it might just as well be submitted that at times his own interests would conflict witn those of the community. But lie would not descend to such pettifegging points. -ie did not believe that ‘ Councillor Y’insor’s judgment would be influenced, but neither would Councillor xiunter’s. Councillor Flesher\s excuse was paltrv

Councillor E. McCombs seconded Councillor Archer’s motion. Councillor Flesh or said that Councillor Y"insor was supported because of his special qualifications. As for Councillor Hunter, he did riot now live in the city and was only on the roll because he was the nominee of an organisation. He would bo quite prepared to say that no rnan who did not live in the city should be qualified to sit on the council. A man could not be a member of a Licensing Committee if he did uot live in the district, and to be on a Parliamentary roll he had to live in the electorate. A mem-i her of a school committee must reside in the district, and the Fame broad principle should be applied to the case of the City Council. Councillor Hunter was secretary of the Drivers’ Union, and as, such could not, as chairman of the committee, exercise the judicial temperament necessary to control the men. Councillor liunter was pecuniarily interested at times. The Labour members were getting what they might expect. “ This is a democracy,” he declared. “This is a conspiracy,” said Councillor Armstrong. Councillor Flesher said that Labour believed in minority representation, but majority rule. Councillor D. G. Sullivan said that whether Councillor Hunter or any other Labour member was pr&posed, Councillor Flesher would have opposed it, even in the case of Councillor Archer, who was a parson. More generous instincts i>revailed before Councillor Flesher entered the Council. He had exercised a great effect on some of his fellow councillors in bis hostility to Labour, and he had fought tooth and nail in the matter. Again and again s the Citizens Association urged that there should be no party cleavage in the council, but they were not generous enough to be sufficiently sportsmanlike to elect as chairman a man who had given ten years as a member of the committee. Councillor Ffiesher’s argument suggested that Councillor Hunter would sacrifice bis honour as a public man for the sake of half a, dozen employees. Councillor A. Manhire said he supported Councillor Winsor, believing that he was the best man for the po&i-

Counciiior H. T. Armstrong said that inasmuch as every councillor got bis living from some section of the community, the argument used against Councillor Hunter could be used against any councillor The chances were that ex-Councillor Beanland wduld be bachin the council in a fortnight’s time, and the council could wait Councillor "Winso should refuse to b© a party t 6 what was afoot.

Councillor F. R. Cooke naid that he did not object to majority rule, but h© promised the Citizens’ Association that Labour would “steam roller them ” when it got into a majority. “YTio,” lie asked, “ had been so keen on obtaining n. caucus meeting inside the last fortnight?” Councillor Archer’s amendment was

defeated by nine votes to five, Councillor Winsor refraining from voting. The division list was;— Ayes Noes. Arch e r W ill i a ms AX’Comb* Flesher Cooke M’Kellar Armstrong Manhire Sullivan Brunt Andrew* Hervey Herbert Thacker Councillor Hervey strongly protested against the allegation that b© bad consulted the Citizens’ Association before moving his motion. Councillor Winsor wan elected cliairI rnan of the corrimitte© on the voices.