COLLEGE BOARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 June 1943, Page 2

COLLEGE BOARD

LABOUR REPRESENTATIVE LATE MEMBER QUESTIONS ELECTION. MATTER OF VOTING PROCEDURE. A request that the recent election held by the Wairarapa Trades Council of a member of the Wairarapa College Board of Governors be declared null and void on the ground that the election, had taken place along unconstitutional lines was contained in a letter from the former member of the board, Mr T. Hanley, which came before last night’s meeting of the board. It was decided to advise Mr Hanley that the usual practice had been observed in sending out advices to the Trades Council, the Waingawa, Railways and Post and Telegraph Unions, which were asked that they elect a representative. If he wished to take the matter further it concerned the Trades Council and not the board. In his letter to the board, Mr Hanley said the secretary of the Trades Council, Mr F. Cole, had told him that Mr A. Owen Jones had given authority for all persons and delegates connected with the Trades Council to vote at the election. Mr Hanley asked as to who gave Mr Jones authority to do that. The election was at variance with the constitution and should be declared null and void, stated Mr “Mr Cole came to see me and I referred him to the secretary of the board, Mr H. M. Boddington. I do not like Mr Hanley’s attitude,” said the chairman, Mr Jones.

Mr Boddington said Mr Hanley’s term of office on the board expired by the effluxion of time on May 31. He had sent out the same notices since the board was formed. The identical notice had gone out this year. Mr Boddington explained how the representation of the board was set up. Members pointed out that the election of a Trades Council representative had always involved difficulties and had never been satisfactory, as there was a doubt as to who should vote.

Mr W. R. Nicol said the board could not dictate to the unions regarding proportionate voting. The matter then lapsed.