“SHUT UP.”

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1925, Page 4

“SHUT UP.”

A recommendation resented. A ECK LAND, November 25. A heated interlude occurred at a meeting of the Technical College Rout'd during a discussion on the need for an assemble hall. The director, Mr 0. .L Park, was considered bv sonic members to have exceeded bis duties in the manner of his reeoir.mendat ion of the project, and was told bv Mr ( . A. Watts, trades union representative, to •shut up." Mr Watts considered that Mr Park only wanted the assembly hall as a place iii which to inculcate ‘‘jingoism and false patriotism. ' The discussion started while plans for a new assembly hall were being considered. Mr A. Hurl moved that the plans, subject to slight modifications. he approved. several members objeeie-.l to the proposal eu ihe ground of expen-e. Mr Pink said that as prineipa! of the college, he felt called upon to protest against the attitude of some members of ci:c board. Without a. hall the school inii-t fail in the best part ol its work, the fostering of a spirit..ol devotion to the school and loyally to ‘he country. Mr Watts said it was not lor the principal to take exception to the actions of the board. Mr Park attempted to make an explanation, Inlt was told by Mr Walts to •• shut up.” Several members protested at once, so me demanding withdrawal by Mr Walls and others an apology from Mr Park. Mr Watts -aid that Mr Parle only wanted to inculcate in the' school a spirit of jingoism mid false patriotism. The school needed four extra room;: and the hoard was asked to spend thousands of pounds on a hall to get them. Mr P. I*'. Rarter, another trades union representative, moved that M.r Park should he asked to withdraw his statements. He declared that all the members of tr.e hoard were anxious to do their for the college. Mr Park asked which remarks the members objected to. lie said he gave all members credit for the best intentions. Ho regretted that they should take exception to anything he had said but be assured the board that his remarks were not meant in the spirit in which they were taken. When the original motion was put the plans for the hall were approved by eight votes to three.