BREEZE AT CONFERENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19434, 21 October 1925, Page 4

BREEZE AT CONFERENCE

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE DELEGATES LEAVE The atmosphere of the annual eon* ference at Christchurch of the Federation of Honorary Justices’ Association of New Zealand became somewhat heated one evening last week. During the early part of the afternoon the proceedings were very happy, but at the evening session the subject of amendments to rules came up, and discord ensued. At present the rules state that the council shall elect the officers of the federation from among its own members. The registrar, Mr I. Salek, proposed that the conference should elect the officers. The subject was debated for an hour, Auckland members contending it. was robbing the council of its powers and stating that the Auckland Association would withdraw if the alteration to the rule was carried. Many attempts were made to cleat the air, and finally a resolution was carried that the debate on this subject should bo adjourned until next day. “Well, you can run your affairs your own way. Just do as you like,’ 1 said Mr Salek. “Have we your permission to retire?” asked the Auckland delegates. The chairman granted permission, and. the Auckland members, Messrs F. H. Fray and C. Wheeler, left the room. “It is not the first time they have raised this,” said Mr Salek, as the Auckland delegates retired. “They discussed the matter in Wellington. We have rules that are not workable, and we want to make Ccm workable. I’ve never seen such an exhibition of temper as I have to-day.” Mr W. H. Frith, Oamaru: Neither have I. Mr Salek enumerated t-’.l that had been done for Auckland, and concluded: “And this is the way we are treated.” The president, Mr H. H. Smith: I have made every effort to conciliate Auckland, but they have come here with certain instructions. If they will not submit to the maj -ity it is better that they get out. I’ve been lax as chairman in order to try and conciliate them. We’re strong enough to go on after this conference is over. We hope to have two or three associations or' branches in the South Island. I think the best way is to go straight ahead with the conference, and show that it is not going to be smashed up.