WHY THIS SECRECY?

NZ Truth, Issue 1263, 13 February 1930, Page 7

WHY THIS SECRECY?

- — _— + Rude Shock For R&T. Men MUST EXPLAIN (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Wel- . lington Rep.). For many years now the Post and Telegraph Employee*' Association has enjoyed the privilege of being allowed a copy of evidence taken m cases which come before the Appeal Board. MR. E. C. CUTTEN, S.M., present chairman of the board, has, however, handed out a rude shock to the Association m refusing to make available evidence given m regard to the appeal of the six P. and T. employees recently dismissed from the Auckland service m connection with the telephone-betting scandal. Mr. Cutten has gone a step further m destroying the precedent established by his predecessors over many years m that he has intimated that the appeal of these -men shall be heard strfetly m camera. "Truth" understands that while ' it has never been the practioe, or very rarely, to allow the public to be present at public service appeals; employees of: the department concerned have never been debarred from attending. The evidence given at this appeal, the board's findings, , and counsel's pleadings are all matters of vital import to members of the P. and T. Employees' Association, and they have every right to be acquainted with anything that affects their interests. TELEPHONE BETTING To have suddenly made such a drastic departure from established custom would certainly indicate that there was some very urgent and grave reason for Mr. Cutten's action. Since the public also is largely affected by this telephone betting scandal, it may reasonably be argued that m any case this is an instance where the hush-hush methods m the original inquiry should never have been permitted, and the/ blunder should not be allowed to be repeated m the appeal proceedings* .. ;i.t "i.s the reason for all this secrecy? The members of the Association and the public are entitled to. an explanation, and it is up to Mr. Cutten, S.M., to furnish one.