The Gestetner was to be compared with a machine called a Fordiograph, which was crouch-in a corner with the "Salient" reporter. David Davy compared the advantages of each in meticulous detail as the clock moved past 11.10. When Mr. Davy had got 10 fact-packed minutes off his chest, and discussion had gone some of the way round the table, Peter O'Brien moved that the motion "That we purchase a new Gestetner" be put.

Mr. Wilson would not accept this, saying he wanted more discussion. Mr. O'Brien moved that the Chairman's ruling be disagreed with, and John Hercus took the chair.

Mr. O'Brien said that they had talked for 20 minutes, that they were likely to spend 20 minutes more and that they were likely to go on all night. Mr. Wilson said he had expected better from Mr. O'Brien, that a large sum of money was involved, that Mr. O'Brien was bulldozing the Executive, and that Mr. O'Brien was irresponsible so there. He said it very loudly.

Mr. O'Brien then resigned as from the end of the meeting. When Mr. Wilson took the chair he resigned again to clinch matters. The resignation lay on the table and was dealt with last.

Mr. Wilson, at the end of the meeting, made an unreserved withdrawal of what he had said, but Mr. O'Brien stared hard at the table and said "Still stands, Mr. Chairman." Messrs. Shaw and Hercus, tried to play for time, but it became plain there was no choice but to accept the resignation.