“BREEZE" AT BOARD MEETING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 140, 16 June 1932, Page 11

“BREEZE" AT BOARD MEETING

PREVIOUS REPORT CRITICISED Education Board meetings in Wanganui usually preserve a calm atmosphere, but yesterday there was a variation, when a slight “breeze” stirred proceedings before the Order Paper was well under way, a member twitting the chairman (Mr. E. F. Hemingway, Patea), with attempting to apply “the gag.” Following a rouzd table discussion matters no action was taken. Acting on instructions from, the Minister of Education (the Hon. ItMasters), the Wanganui Education Board, at its meeting in May, considered a comprehensive report covering finances and by adopting it curtailed. the architect’s staff and made certain reductions in wages. When the board met yesterday Mr. J. K. Hornblow, Foxton, who had been absent from the previous meeting, complained that the whole matter had been rushed through too quickly. He did not care what the Minister thought. Every member of the board had a right to express his views on such an important matter and, as the report had not been circularised, members had not been in a position to deal with it properly. Mr. Hornblow maintained that the matter was of such importance that it warranted the setting up of a special committee. He did not know whether he was in order in discussing a report that had been adopted. The chairman: You are entirely out of order. Mr. M. H. Oram (Palmerston North): Then if that is so, sir, 1 rise to a point of order. I was distinctly under the impression that although that report was adopted any member could, if he so desired, raise any points in connection with it to-day. The chairman: But not to discuss the report in toto. The report had to be brought down hurriedly or the Minister would have said that we were net trying to economise as he wished. Mr. J. S. Tingey (Feilding), was of the same opinion as Mr. Oram. He thought that no harm would come from any member referring to matters in connection with the report. The speaker was prepared to move that Mr. Hornblow be allowed five minutes. Mr. Hornblow: It doesn’t matter. The chairman is apparently trying to apply “the gag.” The chairman: I am not. Mr. Hornblow: And I am not the sort of man to take “the gag”either. The chairman has ruled me out of order and I don’t agree with him. I will move that any special reports affecting the finances of this board bo circularised to allow members an opportunity to study them. Mr. Tingey seconded. Mr. Hornblow: I want to know who arranged these various items and reductions of wages? Mr. Hemingway replied that the report had been prepared hurriedly and could only be discussed at the last meeting. A letter had been received from the Minister and the speaker had given instructions for the report to bo prepared for the meeting. Mr. Oram: There was no time to circulate it? Mr. Hemingway: Oh dear, no, and why cavil at it? Mr. Oram repeated that he was clear that the intention had been that any member who desired to bring anything up about the report should be allowed to do so. He did not object to the report being discussed at the last meeting. That was quite the right thing to do. After further .discussion Mr. Hornblow stated his views on the report which had been taken in committee at the last meeting. A letter was received from the Minister approving of the action of the board in reference to the architect’s branch. Changes in this department involve Mr. Hodge accepting greater responsibility, absorbing the work of the foreman.