A LIVELY MEETING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16506, 17 August 1921, Page 4

A LIVELY MEETING

BAILORS' SOCIETY TROUBLE, RIGHT OF AOM3SSt ON. A crash of falling gl*ss and a- tvoman’s screatHS formed the prelude to a lively meeting of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society held at the Y.M.C.A. last night. The meeting was called to consider, among other things a report relative to the appointmen* of a superintendent. Following some ex traordinorv incidents, the meeting got under wav. but by 9.40 p.m. it was de otded, after discussion, in which considerable heat was displayed, that it was impracticable to proceed with the business in hand, and a- committee was appointed to convene and report to a future meeting. Trouble st übed at about five minutes to eight.. Officers oi the society were standing at the entrance to the concert hall at the Y.M.C.A.. where the meet i,ig was held, inquiring before admit ting tho arrivals as to whether theu were members of tlie society. A heated aitorcation arose. Mr it. 1- 1 .ester. the Mayor of Lyttelton, and a member ol tiie society, protesting, We demon-‘ justice to subscribers, and defy anyone io deny us the right, of admission. Just then tho glass pane in one of the swing doors sit the entrance was smashod, and a woman screamed. Mr Lestev persisted in loud protests. An official of the Y.M.C.A. expressed disapproval of the proceedings, saying that, the occurrence was the first of its kind in tho building, and he was sorr. that it was in connection with a Christian Society. “Let these people enter!” demanded Mr Le3fcer. “ Give them British faiplay! What right have you to push m wife out? Let them all enter, and i not eligible they can retire. To deba • people at the door is the most insult ing thing 1 have heard of in my life! Mr R. A. Kenner mounted the plat form. “As general secretary of the Y. AI.C. Ahe said, “ I desire to as you to withdraw. A disgraceful seem lias taken place, for which we cannoaccept any responsibility, and as tbtrouble continues I am sorry to sa there is only one thing I can do.” The meeting broke up into animated groups, eagerly discussing the situa-tion-some in the hail, some on tho stairway, some i.t the general hall below, (in the understanding of orderl, procedure being given to Mr Kenner, however, the meeting was reopened. “ I wish to say how sorry 1 am tha we are placed in the position wo arin to-night,” said Mr Al. J. Alillei president of the society, who took th chair. “ 1 wish to explain that I, wit other members of the executive, have trade a very honest effort to get ; chairman of prominence among on members to take the chair this evening and though we quite expected to ge~ one, each one, unfortunately, lias looked on the position as rather a difficult one, and I have been advised by them to take the chair myself. I most reluctantly have to do that, realising that 1 have been elected president for tins present year.” Air S. R. Webb: Pardon me, Sir Chairman. Seeing that the action Oi the directors is being impugned, would it be wise lor you to continue to occup.. the chair? 1 shall move that Air Cyrus J. R. Williams occupy the chair. The President: 1 shall take no motion on the subject. Air Webb: i do so, sir, because certain actions of yourself will be considered, and wo want the scales of justice held evenly between the parties. Air Lester : 1 havo very much pleasure in seconding that motion, and i feel with Air Webb that it is not right for one member of the directorate to preside, when his action is being impugned. Jhe president: Well, if that is the ntsh of the meeting I have no objection whatever. (Applause). Mr Williams took the chair amid further applause. Air Williams asked Captain Hatchwell to join those on the platform. (“ Hear, hear ” and applause). Captain Hatchwell thereupon took a seat on the platform. More of the glass in the door crashed io the ground as another person entered the meeting during a discussion as to whether proxies should be allowed at the meeting. Air Webb : it is more than probable that this matter will reach tho law courts, and if you allow proxies what are you going to do? The chairman ruled that proxies could not be accepted. (Applause).

Mr AY ebb asked what was Airs Lester’s position at the meeting. She was a member of the guild. M as she entitled to vote at the meeting? Air R. S. Badger, secretary of the society, expressed the view that though on the board she was not a member of the society, entitled to a vote. Tie said that tho legal opinion . of the society’s solicitors on the point had been obtained. Air Webb contended that Airs Lester became a member of the society when she became a member of the board. The chairman said he was not competent to rule on the point, but the legal opinion was against the speaker. Mr Lester : Are you prepared to take the opinion of another solicitor on that rule? The chairman: In the multitude of councillors there is wisdom, but I think the society must be bound by the •opinion of its own solicitors. Air Lester: I will ask only one other question, as I was told • T was here to create a disturbance. We meet here as a board constituted for the moral and religious welfare of th© British and foreign seamen. Are we here tonight to be goverened by the law or justico ? The chairman: We are fo be governed by law. If you are able to distinguish between law and justice I don’t profess to. Mr Lester: I have done it many a time. The issue was discussed at length. Air Lester making reference to “ Principles of British Justice.” He asked that a roll-call should be made, in order to make sure that only genuine votes were exercised. “ This is a matter of the most vital importance,” ho said. “ It is the first time in the history of New Zealand, where occasion has arisen between the Board of Governors and the executive committee, and I ask you on behalf of those directly interested in tho welfare of such a glorious institution as the Seamen’s Institute to give them an opportunity of seeing who are the people who are looking after their interests.” He moved: “Seeing that this meeting is of such great and vital importance to the people of Canterbury, we as subscribers permit the representatives of the various guilds to this meeting, and that representatives of the Returned Soldiers* Association be present to consider points at issue which touch very seriously on matters in connection with returned soldiers.” Through the broken pane of the door Air \V. K. Lead ley, secretary of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association, and others, could be seen standing outside. A number of women and also representatives of the Returned Soldiers* Association were admitted, and seated

at the back of the hall, amid loua applause. Arclideacn J. It. Hewland said he thought the meeting incompetent to deal with the majority report. He asked if the meeting would hear a deputation from the Returned Soldiers’ Mr NY. Alacliin said he had been challenged when lie entered the room by Air Webb, who said he had no right there, though he had received an invitation to he present. “ I suggest that you remain until you are asked to leave,” said the chairnan. (Laughter). A vote as to whether the deputation nould bo admitted rejected Archdeacon Hewland’s motion, and Mr Leadley and other members of his deputation left til© room. “ First time we have ever been refused,” said Air Leadley, as he retired. ‘ It’s a disgrace to the Dominion,” said Air T.ester, making for the door. Me asked that he be “ called up” when voting took place. The chairman: But who is going to call you up? lam sure T’m not going to. Air T.ester resumed his seat, protecting. The Rev W. T. Todd pressed for a decision recording Airs Lester’s vote. The chairman said that he could not ol the present ,-tage ignore the legal opinion: however, he would leave it to the meeting to decide as to what should ho done. Mo suggested that Airs Lester should stand aside in the meantime. Air Todd said the chairman’s ruling should be accepted. Questions as to who had the right Io vote occupied the attention of the meeting for some time. Air Alaohin appealed to the meeting to get to business. The chairman said he thought the ■round had beer, cleared. Now. they •Line to deal with the “ real hard stuff ” —the executive’s report. Air Lester questioned the meeting’s competence to deal with the report.

Archdeacon Hewland supported the objection. He said that members had received two notices of the meeting, on one of which the majority report was not mentioned. Consideration of matters of procedure occupied further time. Tho chairman said the question was whether the notice calling the meeting was in order. Archdeacon Hewland stated, in the course of further discussion on the ; oint. that he had obtained the opinion of Messrs Dougall and UpTiam on the question. At 9.30 p.m. Air A. Fairbairn moved that the meeting be adjourned. Tho chairman put to those on the platform the question as to whether the meeting was in order or not. “ No,” said Captain Hatchwell. “ Yes,” said Air AJiller. “ Most certainly,” said Air F. W Anderson (honorary treasurer). Yes,” said the secretary. The secretary read the rules of the society, contending that the meeting was in order. “ The society wants a new secretary, sir!” said Air F. Deverill. (Laughter and applause.) Air A. AV. Jamieson seconded the motion. He said he was satisfied that no good could he done at present. The Chairman: 1 am very much inclined to. .accept that. 1 myself have grave doubts as to whether this meeting lias been called in accordance with the rules.

Air Dovereaux suggested the formation of a small independent committee to present an impartial report to a future meeting. Air Alacliin suggested that such committee might decide also regarding the method of calling the next meeting. Tho chairman said, lie thought that the present meeting had done good in clearing the atmosphere. “ They will light again like Kilkenny cats unless the suggestion is adopted,” said another gentleman. “ 1 don’t envy the persons on that committee,” said the chairman subsequently, “ but if four such men can be found in this hemisphere 1 think much, good might be done.” Air Miller said he quite agreed with the suggestion, lie said lie hoped, however, tiiat tho matter would not be held over too long. The following were elected the committe©:— Alessrs C. J. It. Williams, A.. VV. Jamieson, W. Alacliin, D. Reese and R. Malcolm. MAJORITY AND MINORITY REPORTS. The resignation of Air Wood, superintendent oi the Lyttelton branch of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society, and a proposed new appointment, are the subject ol two printed reports which were prepared for last night’s meeting of the society. The documents were described as “majority” and “minority” reports of the executive committee. They were in conflict on what appeared tlie greater part of the points at issue. “ The whole of tlie present trouble,” stated the majority report, “ arises over a mere difference of opinion as to whether the average employer would discharge a man first, then fill his place, or look round for a successor, and. when suited, discharge an employee. We have followed tlie latter course.”

“ The whole of the present trouble does not arise.” stated the minority report, “over a mere difference of opinion as to discharge by an employer of his employee, but over the arbitrary assumption of powers by the majority executive, which were never its to exorDetailing tlie circumstances of the appointment, the majority report states that after Air Booth’s resignation, Air George Wood was appointed superintendent on six months’ probation. At th© end of that period he voluntarily resigned. He stated that he considered ho had not had a fair chance, partly on account of an illness extending over some weeks, and due to serious physical disabilities which were not made known to the board before they decided to give him a trial ; and. secondly, because of alleged interference with his work by one member. As it was felt that any superintendent was entitled to a fair run. it was uanimously agreed, on the motion of Mr O. F. Harrison (on April 5 last) that- Air AVood l>e allowed to withdraw his resignation and carry on, the mover’s idea being siniolv to extend the existing trial-period. This was also the impression held by many members, who explained later that thov voted for the motion on this understanding. About the end of May the Rev Ray Steward, Baptist minister, of Dunedin, whose apnlication for the position last year was unanimously considered tho only one of outstanding merit by virtue of his seafaring and ministerial experience, again wrote to the secretary, explaining that he was now open to consider a position in. sailors’ work. Tlie executive, bv a 7o per cent majority, decided to interview him with a. view of reporting to the board as to his qualifications. The position was complicated by the fact that ai member of the executive divulged committee business to another member of the board, who in turn accepted die extraordinary responsibility of writing :t protesting letter to Air Stewart, and also advising Air Wood of the committee’s action. This led to all the later developments. Mr AVood resigned without any suggestion or coercion from the committee’s officers at twenty-four hours’ notice, and left op June 27, though he had stipulated for two months’ notice op either side. “ AA r e have no hesitation,” it was stated, “in recommending that no further steps be taken in regard to any further trial period of Air AVood*s services, which ho abruptly terminated by walking out of the institute before his brief notice expired. AYo strongly recommend that the Rev Ray Stewart be appointed to the vacancy as port missionary, subject to certain alterations in the schedule of duties.” “ The recent happenings,” continued the report, “ only serve to emphasise the fact that it is higli time that Christchurch was better represented, as this is a Canterbury institution, and the unfairness of the position will be apparent when we mixtion that though the Lyttelton public provide only about 5 per cent of our upkeep, they have about Go per cent of the representation on the ooard.” The report had appended to it the names: —Al. J. Aliller, president; F. vY. Anderson, honorary treasurer; R. 6. Badger, honorary secretary. The minority report, which had appended to it the name Robert Hatchwell, described as “ fourth member oi executive,” declared that the committee was not a management committee as claimed by the executive officers, but only the agent of the board to carry out certain duties. Captain Hatchwell protested against, the action of the majority in entering into communication "ith an outsider about filling, the position of superintendent, the then occupant’s position having been made permanent by the board, after six months’ trial. This was exceeding their powers. Ho also protested against tho carrying on of a correspondence purporting to come from the executive, without first giving him an opportunity of perusing it, acting in his name without his consent or granting him an opportunity to protest. “ AVhen I found out this unconstitutional action of a committee under the board,” stated the report, “ J felt in duty bound to advise the other members of the board of this usurpation of its powers, so that immediate action should be taken to stop it. Aty protest was upheld by ten members of the board, as against eight members who supported the majority.” The report continued :—No detailed documentary evidence had ever yet been considered by the board as to Air AVood’s fitness or otherwise. No opportunity to discuss the matter had ever been granted members. No statement had been made by the executive to the hoard detailing the data upon which the three unnamed lawyers based their opinion. No minute is .in existence on the board’s records of a motion duly proposed, seconded and carried, dealing with Air AVood’s resignation. Legal opinion was quoted on the question. Can the chairman’s action be upheld by law, seeing that the board deals with all appointments and resignations? No decision of the board as to acceptance or rejection of the resignation is recorded on tlie minutes, no time having been given to discuss the matter nor express an opinion on the lawyer’s advice.