VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1941, Page 4

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

MR OWEN JONES AS TRUST REPRESENTATIVE. ON WAIRARAPA COLLEGE BOARD. Mr A. Owen Jones was assured by last night’s meeting of the Masterton Trust Lands Trust that he would have the full support of the Trust in any action he took as Trust representative on the Wairarapa College Board of Governors. x Mr Jones stated that while the College Board was in committee at its last meeting a member had suggested that representation be made to the Trust to have him removed. The motion was not seconded. Ho wished to know his position: was he a free lancer or not? “We all know the matter to which Mr Jones is referring," said Mr J. Macfarlane Laing. It was in connection with the proposal that the College staff take or renew the Oath of Allegiance. Personally, he and a great many others in the community would have no objection to take the oath as often as required. “A great song was raised about, nothing," he added. The matter should not have received opposition and should never have been allowed to arise.

Only in matters of policy should Mr Jones consider the Trust, continued Mr Laing. In that event he should put aside all personal feelings. If he was not sure of the Trust’s views he could find out’.- So far as other matters went there was no reason why his hands should be "bound. Mr Jones needed no direction in any case. Mr E. G. Eton: “It is a case of freedom of speech.” Mr R. Page: “Mr Jones is never' afraid to speak out. Whatever institution he is connected with he always acts in its interests.” Other trustees spoke on similar lines and the chairman (Mr H. P. Hugo) assured Mr Jones that he had the full support of the Trust.