PARLIAMENT OR BOARD?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 88, 5 July 1927, Page 15

PARLIAMENT OR BOARD?

CONFLICTING DUTIES MEMBERS FAIL TO ATTEND, A LYTTELTON REBUKE (Special to THE SUN. ) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. I •V SHARP rebuke was administered to members of Parlia- i merit who are also members of the Lyttelton Harbour Board at the meeting to-day, when they failed to attend the afternoon session. Their absence was strongly resented. Mr. J. R. Hayward moved, pursuant to notice of motion: “That the board’s resolution of July 5, 1926, be rescinded, and that during the Parlia mentary sessions the board meet on the first Monday of the month and when Parliament is not in session on the first Wednesday in the month.” Mr. W. T. Lester failed to see why the board should alter its day of meeting to suit* the Parliamentary members. They promised to give their services to the conduct of local bodies when they stood for election. “If They look after Parliament they have enough to look after without messing about with us,” said Mr. Lester em phatically. “When these people are seeking election the biggest idea is £SOO a year. That’s what brings them to this meeting. We set ourselves out to meet members of Parliament and they do not meet us. J don’t want to be rude to anybody, but we should not change the meeting from Monday.” Mr. W. K. Me Alpine said the meeting was a revelation. Members of Parliament had not come down for the meeting at all, but, apparently, for other meetings. There were four members of Parliament and 10 other members. Why should the meetings be arranged to suit the four. Mr. Hayward said the principle involved was ‘‘one man for one job.’ If members of Parliament were unable to attend the board meetings that should have been considered before they took up the responsibility of Harbour Board work. Mr. H. Holland, M.P., arrived at this stage of the discussion and the motion was explained to him. He said that so far as he was concerned he did not mind when the meetings were held and \yould come down to them whenever he could. Mr. J. Miller contended there was no need to alter the present position. % “I am prepared to withdraw the motion,” declared Mr. Hayward, and accordingly it was withdrawn and the following minute was left on the book: “That when the chairman considers it necessary he shall call a meeting for Monday during the Parliamentary session.” s