OPEN OR CLOSED?

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12608, 19 November 1926, Page 6

OPEN OR CLOSED?

CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS MEETING GOES INTO COMMITTEE MAJORITY OF ONE VOTE Complaint was made recently that too much business transacted by the Wellington City Council was done in committee, and the phrase "too much secrecy” was used in this connection. Reference to this was made at a special meeting of the council yesterday, when it was decided, on a majority of pne vote, to go, into committee to discuss tbe terms of an agreement between the Wellington Show Association and the council in respect to, the reserve, commonly termed "Jam Tin Gully,” where it is proposed to erect show buildings. Councillor W. H. Bennett said while there was no objection to tho terms of the agreement becoming known, there were certain outstanding features whioh he considered should be taken in committee. Councillor R. McKeen, M.P., objected, and said there had been quite a lot of trouble about reserves lately. Anyone who had perused the agreement must be satisfied that there were certain poipts which required—and required urgently—alteration. About five acres of reserve were concerned. Councillor H. D. Bennett: A point of order. We are discussing tbe question of going into committee. Councillor R. A. Wright, M.P. (who was in the chair in the Mayor’s abspnve): Councillor McKeen is in order. Councillor McKeen went on to say that the reserve was one section from the centre of the city and ideally situated. The public had been complaining that there was not sufficient information published of tbe doings of the opuncil, and that the council acted hurriedly. This was an excellent opportunity to allay their minds—to have tbe discussion in open council. “I am not apposed to the Show Association having the piece of ground,” he said, "but I wish to see the rights of the people safeguarded, and would like to pee time taken so that the whole question can he gone into and arguments for and against adduced before anything is done.” Councillor Wright said it was always desirable to take as much as possible jn open council; but upon looking at the agreement more closely he felt that it would be advisable to take a discussion in committee first, and views oould be expressed in open council later. Councillor McKeen; Must not the council be Unanimous before we go into committee? Councillor’ Wright: No; if the majority soy we are to go into committee, then into committee we will have to go. I move We go into committee. Councillor Thompson seconded. Councillor R. Semple said the principles embodied in the agreement should be discussed in open council. If the prevailing idea was, however, that the Blatter should be discussed in open council after the committee stage, he was agreeable to going into committee. He believed that the whole thing should be made public, because the Show Association was endeavouring to create a favourable atmosphere by pushing forward what they hoped would be a scheme of pUblio benefit. If the ooUncil was quite open, any unfavourable .impression which had been created would be removed.

Councillor Wright: You cannot prevent a discussion in open councilafterwards.

Councillor Semple: So long as we don’t get a stonewall and get home to tea very tired. - Councillor Bennett: We don’t want to prejudice the big task which the Show Association has undertaken. -Councillor Troup favoured an op®n discussion.

The council wept into cqmmittee by six votes to five.