STIR IN COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21688, 26 March 1942, Page 6

STIR IN COUNCIL

HEATED DISCUSSION DISMISSAL OF EMPLOYEE NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN Members of the Hamilton Borough Council were at cross purposes and much heated discussion took place at the meeting last night when the resignation of an employee from the Hamilton gasworks and his subsequent plea to be given another chance were again ventilated. At the previous meeting three weeks ago the council was divided on the question, and last night, after another discussion occupying over threequarters of an hour, the previous decision to ask the District Manpower Officer’s permission to dismiss the man was confirmed. However, notice of motion was given, to be considered at the next % meeting, seeking to re-instate the man. The man concerned, after being warned by Mr R. Worley, who was then in charge of the gasworks, that breaches of the council’s rules had been alleged against him and that an explanation was wanted, handed in his resignation, but later wrote to the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, pleading for another chance. Mr Worley then supplied a written report to the council concerning the man, and after a heated discussion it was decided to dismiss him. “ Another Chance *’ Sought At last night’s meeting a letter from the man’s solicitors was read admitting some technical breaches and pleading for another chance. Mr Caro moved that the letter be received. this being seconded by Mr H. M. Hammond, but Mr C. Lafferty moved an amendment that the letter be received and the man be given another chance. This was seconded by Mr F. Findlay. “ This man has been working for us for 21 years,” said Mr Lafferty. “ He has brought up a family of eight and has four sons away at the war fighting for you and me. Surely because of some technical breaches we are not going to dismiss him now.” Mr Lafferty, Mr Findlay and Mr W. W. Dillicar made appeals for leniency for the man, and Mr J. Treloar and Mr W. R. Shattock also favoured giving him another chance. Mr T. Parker said that with appeals for other men at the gasworks against military service, he did not think the Manpower Officer would agree to the dismissal of the man. The alleged offences were not so bad that he could not be given another chance, he said. “ I do not like to see any man hurt unnecessarily, but surely there is a limit to a man’s behaviour,” said Mr W. M. Cann. “If he were employed by a private firm, or any one of us in his business, would, we keep him? I do not think the fact that he has sons at the war should count.” Support for Executives A strong indictment of the amendment was made by Mr Hammond, who said that on other occasions the council had nearly gone over the heads of its executive officers in the matter of dismissing a member of the staff, but fortunately had reconsidered the position. It was not right that employees should be able to run to the council members for support behind the backs of the executive officers. The executive officers did the employing and knew the worth of the employee, and they should be supported by the council. There was a resolution on the books concerning the breach. Those supporting the amendment had no respect for the resolutions passed ten years ago. It appeared to him that members were voting with their hearts and not their heads. Mr T. G. Reynolds raised a point of order, contending that the amendment could not be put but that there should be a notice of motion for the next meeting. The Mayor upheld the point of order but explained that the position could be overcome if three-fourths of the members present voted in favour of the suspension of Standing Orders for this purpose. When the vote was taken Messrs Shattock, aPrker, Dillicar, Findlay, Lafferty and Treloar voted for suspension and Messrs Caro, Reynolds, Hammond and Cann against, and the requisite majority was not obtained. Information Undisclosed In winding up the debate the Mayor said that he had information that he would not disclose, and he would not change his motion. Mr Findlay.—You are not being fair! “ I think I am being very fair to the man,” replied Mr Caro. “ I am as soft-hearted as most councillors but that is all I have to say.” After the Mayor’s motion was carried Mr Shattock gave notice of motion to rescind the resolutions at the next meeting.