COUNCILLORS AND THE STAR CHAMBER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1389, 22 April 1915, Page 2

COUNCILLORS AND THE STAR CHAMBER.

Wk hope the new Council will not take so much of its business “in committee” as was the practice of the outgoing Council. Star chamber methods may he permissible in company concerns, but should he avoided as far .as possible in local Government affairs, except in matters affecting leaders and where litigation is threatened. The public have a tight in all other matters to he taken into the tallest confidence of the Council, Councillors are the temporary trustees'of ratepayers, and whatever opinions they express at the Council table should not in any way prejudice them in private or business life. But some people cannot differentiate between Brown the Councillor and Brown the private citizen, and on the other hand some Councillors cannot differentiate between their duty as public trustees and their private affairs. Hence the mau who for private or business reasons prefers to express his views in camera. The public may not always agree with a Councillor who expresses his views openly, but they cannot lail to admire his moral courage. Ample opportunity is afforded Councillors to discuss matters when in committee stage, but there should be no necessity to stifle discussions on subjects coming before open Council.