The Globe. THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 962, 26 July 1877, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1877.

As our readers are probably aware, a conference of delegates from the various municipalities of the colony is to be held at Wellington early in the ensuing month. Presumably they are going to discuss recommendations to

the Government for amendments in the Act relating to municipalities. We say presumably, because so far as the public are concerned the} 7 ' have been kept most carefully in the dark as to what are the exact intentions of the promoters of the Conference. Any meetings which have been held here have been rendered private by the business done being transacted in committee. Hence the ratepayers, who are deeply interested in the matter, have been prevented from learning, through the medium of the Press, what alterations their representatives propose shall be made in the existing law. It has recently become far too much the fashion with public bodies here to stifle publicity, by going into committee when discussing matters which it is essential to the public interest should be openly and freely canvassed, and subjected to the wholesome restraint of public criticism. In the case now referred to, the ratepayers are deeply interested in knowing what course their representative at the Conference will take upon the subjects likely to be discussed. Mr. Hobbs will go from here ostensibly as the accredited representative of the ratepayers of Christehurch, but really, from the action pursued by the City Council, he will represent only the few gentlemen who compose the City Council. It is as well that the outside public thould know this, and that they should be therefore prepared to give only that amount of weight to the opinions which Mr. Hobbs may express, to which they are entitled. We are utterly at a loss to see Avhy so much mystery should be made of the affair. Mr. Hobbs and his fellow delegates do not, we hope, contemplate a coup cVetat by which the present Government is to be overthroAvn. If there is nothing in their proposals which is likely to effect so startling a revolution in matters political, why all this affectation of secrecy? But, apart from this, Ave contend that the ratepayers have a perfect right to know what Mr. Hobbs, as representing Christehurch, will be prepared to recommend as the opinion of the City Council on the subject of amendments in the Act. These involve many important and serious matters affecting the interests of all, and to discuss them privately and in the hole and corner manner in Avhich they have been done, is altogether opposed to the spirit of representative institutions. "We hope that, though late in the day, the Council will yet vouchsafe to the public some information as to the scope and general tenor of their recommendations, so that a chance may be afforded of opinions being expressed thereon. If not, as we have said, Mr. Hobbs cannot claim to represent the city of Christchurch, but simply the individual members of the City Council, Avhich we take it is hardly a dignified position for a delegate from so important a city as Christehurch to occupy.