[Letter from cox pasted into minutes book before former minutes letter with note in pen that reads: ‘Letter not received util Dec 29th ie- to late to […] attention until new year’]

FILM AND PHOTO LEAGUE

Dec 27th.                                            Highlands,

                                                                        Berry Lane.

                                                                                    Langdon Hills, Essex.

Dear Mr. Cuthbertson

            With regard to your phone message to me and the decision arrived at by the members present on Monday 21st , it did not strike me at the time, but on reflection, I can see a grave difficulty confronting us is we let the decision of the meeting stand. Constitutionally it is quite out of order.

            It is necessary to call a special meeting for the purposes of making changes in the committee, and in this case no mention of any change was made in the notice of the meeting which was sent out. I am afraid that we should be something of a laughing stock if we allow decisions such as this to be made at any group meeting. The committee would not remain the same for two weeks running. In fact, Monday night’s meeting could easily reverse this decision by refusing to agree to the minutes. I am presuming that minutes were taken, because it is unfortunately one of the failings of the organization that their meetings are never conducted in a businesslike manner.

            Under the circumstances, one of the two following measures will have to be taken. (a) Notices of a special General Meeting will have to be sent out to all members stating the reason for calling it, or (b) Leave it over till the annual meeting in February.

            With regard to the financial statement: when the rent is paid up to the end of December, there will not be any balance left in the bank. With regard to the money invest, it is repayable at call on or after March 20th 1937.

One thing is quite certain. Something will have to be done about the “March” film. The N.U.W.M. have paid £10 towards the expenses, and they are entitled to see something for their money.

                        I am sorry that I am not accessible, and have to leave so early.

                        With best wishes, Yours fraternally.

                        Fran H. W. Cox

[Note in pen on minutes book above letter pasted to reads: ‘As this letter challenges the legality of decisions arrived at by meeting of Film Group on Dec 21st (ie reactions of league; policy; ; emergency committee elected; investing funds (it being announced for first time re ISF etc) a special committee was called of those elected (as far as can be ascertained from a “minute” note in the files) in feb 1936. This committee met at 5 Great Ormond Street On Jan 20th 1937]