Convention

For all its pretensions, the NZUSA Easter Council was a bona fide political convention. Its conclusion held a built-in climax—the election of the 1966-67 president. Inevitably, everyone who had anything to do with the Council could not resist talking tactics and possibilities—even in the most social moments. From time to time, the hum-drum Commissions caught fire after motions which clearly had political consequences, such as a motion of censure or protest.

And there was high drama. The constituents bombarded Alister Taylor at almost every turn, but he showed no signs of fear. He dared chastise those who held to power to re-elect him about their own alleged failings. By issuing an unauthorised press report on the Insurance Programme, he seemed to be saying to them all that he felt no compunction for his independent methods. Such actions, his opponent was later to claim, were tantamount to a "fait accompli."