MOTORISTS EXECUTIVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 244, 15 October 1931, Page 8

MOTORISTS EXECUTIVE

SHOULD ANY RETIRE?

ANNUAL MEETING VIEWS Whether the rule.B of the Wanganui Automobile Association should be changed so that a number of members of the executive committee should each year retire, and not leave the whole of the executive for re-elction at the annual meeting, as at present, was fully discussed at last night’s annual meeting of the association. The proposal was vetoed by a large majority. The president, Mr D. McFarlane, moved that the rule should be altered to read that three members of the sitting council should retire at the annual general meeting, but should be eligible for re-election. At the present time the whole of the executive retired at the general meeting, said Mr McFarlane. Ho was on a number of bodies in Wanganui and it was most unusual that the whole of the executive should retire. At least they should have two-thirds of the old executive remaining. With the present widespread ramifications of the association it might be very awkward for a new executive coming in without old members being on it. He suggested that there should be a ballot for the first two years as to who should retire and then the members of the executive would retire by rotation. Mr Meuli seconded the motion.

Mr G. V. Pearce moved an amendment that the motion should read that the members retiring should not be eligible for re-election. There was too much of having the same members year after year. Mr A. S. Burgess seconded the amendment pro forma. Ho thought that if the amendment were carried they might lose some very valuable members. The motion was the proper one. Whei. they came to the election of the executive it rested with the annual meeting whether the retiring members should go back or not. The members of the association should have complete control of the affairs of the association, said Mr Barton. If they thought that the executive was not carrying out their views, then they should have the right to elect a majority on the executive which would carry out those views. It would bo better that five members of the executive should retire ajid that they should not be eligible for reelection for one year. Mr D. Dustin was of the same opinion. The annual meeting should have the power to change the executive. To have four retiring each year would be enough with the president and vicepresident, who would also be elected each year by the meeting. Mr N. R. Bain said that he would vote against the motion and the amendment. It was a fair thing for the annual meeting to say which members should go back on the executive. It had not been the practice of the annual meetings in the past to throw out any member of the executive who had been doing his duties properly. In view of the feeling of the meeting, Mr Pearce said that he would withdraw his amendment.

Mr D. Dustin proposed an amendment that the number to retire should be five the first year and four the second year, the retiring members being eligible for re-election. Mr Pearce seconded the amendment.

One member asked how many times had the whole of the executive been put out.

Mr McFarlane said that such had never been the case.

That it would be very unwise to have any change at aw was the opinion of Mr J. R. Franklin. If the members were dissatisfied with the executive they could make a clean sweep, and, if they were satisfied, they could re-elect them.

Both amendment and motion were lost by a big majority.