EXCLUDING PRESS

Chronicle (Levin), 13 March 1946, Page 2

EXCLUDING PRESS

LOCAL BODY MEETINGS INCIDENT AT CATOHMENT BOARiJ Representatives of the Press in'Palm erston North came very close to being excluded from a special meeting of thi Manawatu Catehment Board in the ciF yesterdav inoniiug when, as it trans pired, there was no justification for tak ing the meeting in camera. The meeting was called to co'nsidei a decision by the Wages Commissione. regarding salarv scales for the engineer ing staff ; the position of applicants foi the position of chief engineer conse qnent upon the above decision; a repor of a special committee 011 applicants; s lctter from the board 's engineer (&lr D. J. B. Ilalley) withdrawing his appli cation for the position of chief en gineer; a telegram from Mr. J. L Greer, withdrawing his application fo the position of assistant engineer; ti rcecive a report by the chairman 0 difliculties of classiiication of lands fo rating and the necessity for making iinancial provision; to consider linanct for O'Brien 's Cut in the Mangatainoka River. Before the meeting began the chair man (Mr. J. T. J. Heatley) toki mtuii bers that the subject matter before thi meeting was iikely to prove contentiou. and lio asked whether the boar:l thought it desirable to hold discussioris in committee. "If there are likely to be contentious matters we should go into committee," said Mr. >S. W. Barber. A cominent by a member tliat the reporters could be asked to exercise their discretion brought a sliarp retorl from Alr. Al. O. Graiuger. "The Press representatives always use their discretion, and it is not faii that we should now ask them to accept our responsibilities, " he declared. " Wt should either go into columittee 01 not." Other members spolce in support of Afr. Grainger. The chairman called for a resolution and it was decided to go into cominit tee on contentious subjects. Conveyiiig his regrets to the reporters, the chairman said he must ask them to leave but that a statemem would be issued after the meeting. The reporters were in the act of leaving-thc meeting when Alr. W. AIcKay rose to liis feet and said he understood the resolution to meaii that the Press could remain until such times as a contentious issue was raised, when the board vvoukl go into committee for that particulai subject. Other members expressed tliemselves similarlv, and the Press representa tives were invited to remain. Although Ihe meeting lasted two and a half hours, the board at 110 time lotind it necessary to go into committee and the Press representatives were able to report the proceedings in fuil.