N.Z LOCO. MEN

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1927, Page 1

N.Z LOCO. MEN

[by TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Alareli 3. After hearing the disputes and differences in the ranks of the Association of the Railway Engineers, Firemen and Cleaners in connection with the relationships existing between the General Secretary of the Association (Air AY. Ale Arley) and certain members of the Executive Council, Air E. Rage, K.AL. the arbitrator, gave bis reserved judgment in the case to-day. Tbo Arbitrator found that the election of Air J. F. I.ewin a.s President of the Board in place of Air Carroll, was a valid one. and that Air Ale Arley was still General Secretary, as in bis opinion lie bad not validly been suspended from that position. "Was JLivid Greig duly elected as a. member of the executive and Grand Council of the Association?” continues the announcement.

“The evidence shows.’’ said Mr Page, "that on November oth, 192:1. ,1. Pennell, who as a nieinlier of the Executive and of the' Grand Council, tendered his resignation therefrom. Tho General Secretary, thereupon took steps to hold an election to fill the vacancies. Two nominations were received namely, Pennell and David Greig. On January 25th, 1927. the general secretary, as returning officer, declared that Pennell uCis not eligible for nomination. Therefore he declared Greig duly elected.’’

“I am of the opinion” proceeded the Magistrate, “that the reasons given by the returning officer for his refusal to accept Pennell's nomination are untenable. He was eligible for nomination, and his nomination should have been accepted.” There had been no valid election said Mr Page, and Greig was not a member of the Executive, nor of the Grand Council, in Mr Page’s opinion. As Robert Carroll, for some time President of the Association, had to lclive the footplate of the engine through failing vision ho was. under Rule ,7. ineligible to hold the office of President, and it. thereupon became vacant, and l'lederiek John Lewin, is now President by virtue of the result of the ballot held for that purpose. Although the election was valid, Mr Page expressed the opinion that the General Secretary should have relened the. question to the Executive Council. rather than decide to hold the postal ballot on his own responsibility. 4s to whether William McArley was on or about February 7th, 1927, effectively suspended from the position of General Serve jury. Mr Page said that, in his opinion, ho was not. The evidence showed that, on the day before the closing of (he ballot tor a new President, a meeting at somewhat short notice was convened by the late President, and three members of tho Executive and at this meeting a resolution wins carried purporting to suspend McArley. “In view of my findings above that the office of president was at that time vacant,” concluded His Worship. 1 think that this meeting was not validlv called, nor validly constituted. In mv opinion therefore Mr McArley has not been suspended from the position of General Secretary. No order as to costs was made.