Have Labour Men Independent Vote?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 460, 15 September 1928, Page 1

Have Labour Men Independent Vote?

COUNCILLORS VOTE OFF-SIDE TACIT PARTY INTIMATION Since exercising individual opinions on the transport question before the Auckland City Council about three weeks ago, two of the Labour members on the council have discovered that their voting is contrary to the expressed policy of the Auckland Labour Representation Committee, to whom they are primarily answerable. At the time they voted, however, no instructions as to the views they were expected to express had been given. Crs. G. Davis and O. Mcßrine, botli of whom represent Labour’s viewpoint at the council table, voted against the principle of a transport board, while Mr. E. J. Phelan, another Labour advocate at the council, followed an opposite course, voting for the adoption of the transport 1 board principle. Labour, as represented by the L.R.C., wants a transport board, and expressed this desire In a resolution passed earlier in the week, the full text of which is given here: BOARD WANTED “While realising- that the final solution of the problems arising out of the provision of inadequate passenger transport services is the inclusion of the constituent parts of the metropolitan area in the city of Auckland, the Labour Party is of the opinion that provision should be made for transport operated in such a way that would involve the whole of the area in the liability necessary to supply adequate services, as well as in the control of such services. “With the above object in view it is recommended:— “(1) That the boundaries of the proposed metropolitan area should be decided upon by commission. “(2) That the board should be elected on a proportional basis for the purpose of holding in trust and giving general supervision of the transport services necessary for the convenience of the citizens. “(3) That the board should have full Power to levy rates over the whole area necessary to meet any liability entered into for the purposes of providing such services. “(;*) That the existing services should be valued under the provisions of the Public Works Act, the values to be ar-

rived at. to be the price at which the Metropolitan Board should assume ownership and control of the undertaking.” PERSONS AND PARTY This expression of opinion from organised Labour has shown the voting of Messrs. Davis and Mcßrine to be contrary to the party advocacy, but as no specific intimation was given them by the L.R.C. prior to the council meeting as to how they should vote to please Labour, the question is being left in the lap of the gods. - It is understood that efforts will be made to have the resolution of the council-turning down the Transport Board proposals—rescinded, and Labour -members will be asked to vote in this- direction-. • • Mi\ D; -Wilson, • one of the three members -of- the ‘L-RiC: • Management Committee, explained - this morning that now that Labour’s policy on transport had been clearly defined, the members would be guided as to an exercise of their vote on crucial divisions. Labour councillors, while professedly advocating what they consider to be in the interests of -the* worker, also claim the right •to an • independent vote. “One thing we pride ourselves upon is our free - and independent vote,” is the way Mr. E. J.- Phelan expressed it. Just • what will be the outcome of the L.R.C.’« tacit-intimation of authority will be an interesting development when next the transport problems of the city are discussed in council.