On the Knife's Edge

Mr Mitchell commented that he was sitting on the knife's edge, having to use his casting vote every time, and he didn't like it. He qualified his comments on "backstabbing" by explaining that he was worried that an objective view of the minutes by anyone a few years from now would make it seem that Mr Hercus had been pushed out. This was unfair, because it depended solely on who attended the next meeting whether he is kicked out or not.

He then recommended that further discussion should be left till Mr Hercus could be consulted at Dunedin, when he might begin to understand the "atmosphere."

Mr O'Regan agreed with this course, but added grimly that if Mr Hercus didn't resign he would he pushed out!

Mr Mitchell agreed that this could be done if Mr Hercus knew (of the "atmosphere").

Mr Watts: "I find it difficult to believe that Mr Hercus doesn't know of the atmosphere here."

The discussion closed here with only a murmur (from Mr O'Brien) that this intransigent outlook was perhaps bad in principle.

Salient is sure that this is bad in principle, but that firm and decisive action must be taken one way or the other to close this breach in Executive. It must be hoped that some decision can be reached with Mr Hercus at Easter Tournament. The issue seems to resolve itself into letting Mr Hercus resign gracefully or throwing him out. Salient hopes that Mr Hercus will take the right action (belated though it be) so that Executive can elect a new "spokesman," and close ranks behind him. There is no alternative to this which would not end in further bitterness and a more serious division within Executive.