When there was no control over qualifications, tenure and salaries it wasn't uncommon for one person to underbid an incumbent in office, even though the person underbidding had less qualifications. The Executive tried to deal with cases of wrongful dismissals but there really wasn't much they could do if councils were determined to proceed with their actions. Representations were made to the Department of Municipal Affairs and the S.A.R.M. from time to time in efforts to gain some security of tenure. In 1932 the convention passed a resolution requesting S.A.R.M. and the Department of Municipal Affairs to establish some basic control over dismissals and appointments in municipal offices. Legislation in 1935 required that a council give a 30 day notice to the Local Government Board of intention to dismiss a secretary-treasurer. The Executive of the Association had a standing committee to receive complaints of dismissals and other grievances. In 1941 a Provincial Board of Reference was appointed to receive complaints of wrongful dismissals. There doesn't appear to be a problem in this regard in recent years.