“OUT OF ORDER"

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 68, 11 June 1927, Page 4

“OUT OF ORDER"

A. AND P. MEETING FUTILE WORDY DISCUSSION TROUBLE OVER SECRETARYSHIP Prepared for wordy warfare and thirsting for an explanation regarding Mr. A. D. Stanley’s removal from the office of managing secretary of the Auckland A. and P. Association, a large section of those who attended the annual meeting of the association yesterday afternoon kept up a lively current of talk in the Chamber of Commerce. _ - But nothing really serious happened. 'JHHAT significant item, “general business,” did not appear on the order paper, and consequently the president, Mr. W. W. Massey, ruled all discussion out of order. This action, however, did not prevent a long but uneventful discussion. Mr. W. F. O’Donnell is still secretary of the A. and P' Association.

So many members attended the meeting that it was] adjourned from the: Hall of Commerce,; in High Street, to the Chamber of Commerce in Swanson Street. The discussion concerning Mr. Stanley began while the voting papers for the election of the committee were being collected. Mr. I

Massey remarked that the only business after that was the election of auditors.

A LOT OF TALK Mr. J. Wood set the ball rolling by stating' that he would like to know why Mr. Stanley had been removed from the position of managing secretary. “1 think the members who have paid their fees to the association should know the whys and wherefores of 'the case. You know that a lot of talk goes on outside and it would be only a fair thing to everybody concerned to have an explanation,” he said. Mr. Massey replied that according to the ruling of Mr. E. H. North croft, an independent solicitor to the association, they were not entitled to discuss anything which was not on the order paper. The secretaryship was the will of the committee. Mr. Wood: I ask you to rule the meeting over and give us an opportunity to discuss this sLibject. The street is not the place to discuss these thifigs. Mr. Lopdell rose to explain that the voting regarding the appointment of the new secretary was 13 to 12. He was greeted with applause’by one section of the meeting. Mr. Massey ruled him out ot order. Mr. Lopdell continued that the whole thing was informal. “We received only three days’ notice instead of five for the meeting,” he said. Mr. Massey again ruled him out of order, as the subject was not on the order paper. Mr. Lopdell: Isn’t “general business” on the order paper? Mr. Massey: No. • Chorus: Well, it ought to be. A little later Mr. Wood asked: “Does this subject come under “general business’ ?” Mr. Massey: It is not on the order paper. Another chorus: Well, what is this general meeting for? THE TICKET QUESTION Mr. W. G. Mulholland: I think you should have seen that “general business” was on the order paper. (Cheers.) I think it is a great pity that the meeting we have had to-day was drawn on the ticket question. Mr. Massey ruled him out of order. Mr. Mulholland continued that members were working in the dark. He wished to know why Mr. Stanley had been voted out of his position. He did ! not know anything about Mr. Stanley ! personally; neither did the man in j the street. “My sympathies are with Mr. Stanley, owing to his not knowing why he has had to go,” he said. Mr. Wood: I think that when Mr. Stanley took charge of the association it was a bankrupt concern. Ho, with the assistance of others, has built it up to its present, state. Mr. Massey ruled/ him out of order.

Mr. Wood: Never mind, I’m telling the truth. There were calls to “address th« chair ” NEXT YEAR Mr. Massey assured the meeting that he would give a distinct promise that “general business” would be on the order paper next year, but some of the members were apt to treat the remark lightly. Mr. W. Coath. who explained that he had retired from the services df a bank after 44 years’ service, thought that it would be better if an explanation were made. “We are only asking for British justice,” he remarked. "I have tried to gain some information regarding the treatment of Mr. Stanley ” The rest of his remarks were lost in a buzz of conversation. Mr. King asked the chairman If he would close the meeting and allow the members to discuss* the question amoni: themselves. Mr. Massey said that the position had been tested twice. Air. Fordyce rose to protest against a statement made by Mr. Wood. As j past secretary of the association h. said that he objected to the statemen: that when Mr. Stanley took over the secretaryship the association was bankrupt. It was in a splendid position when Mr. Stanley took over. There were cries of “Why don’t voc rule him out of order?” Mr. J. Hislop said that it was quitunfair to the men who had left the meeting to complete or discuss anything which concerned the whole meetLEGAL ADVICE FOR NOTHING Mr. Northcroft explained that those who wished to do so could call on t** committee to convene a general meeting to discuss the question, but it was entirely wrong to discuss it at a forma, meeting. Mr. CToath (to the chairman):! hope you will 'allow a discussion for 1 your own sake —for your own credit Mr. Lopdell: Seeing that we are in | a position we have never been in be- | fore —that we are having legal adyic® i for nothing . The sentence was W | in loud laughter. Mr. Mhssey requested him to adhere to the order of the meeting. Mr. Lopdell continued: “Would our learned friend give us a ruling the meeting which voted Mr. Stani 1 out was in order?” This sally pleased the supporters o* Mr. Stanley- v Mr. George Tansley asked » _ Massey whether he would v ~ assurance that a meeting would called to discuss the question. Mr. Massey: If the committee vw is elected does not settle down to for the association I will not office. I’m sick and tired of the __ business, which has already j thrashed out. (Cries of “W here- ' ' do hate bickering on one thing, all finished and done with, and it do the association any good. Mr. A. J. Stratford: Twenty could call a meeting. Mr. Massey: But would it good? MEETINGS WHICH DO HARM Mr. .Fawcett: As an old IH®* ‘‘ the association, I think these F* 1 oje do a great deal of harm. -jjj rumours throughout the coU ° ll £ if there is no explanation I thl y harm . will do the association a lot °f _- Mr. Lopdell: Has the appoint of the secretary been confirmed. Mr. “ a pened in committee. Mr. Lopdell: Yes, and I am atn*-' of it. - told Mr. A. D. Bell, although he by one member that it was u* t tutional, explained to the after the last show a commit lev set up to go into ways and ® improving the workings of Nations ation. One of the recommenay was that a new secretary be There was nothing personal Air. Stanley. At a subsequent of the association the commit ira--cision to appoint a new secretary confirmed- Mr. Bell said ne think any good would coroe O 1 ing the fight any further. rreeti^ After this explanation tne_ gradually dissolved and later - nC e& of the new* committee were ..ait •' •