PRESS SILENCED?

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 19, 15 September 1931, Page 3

PRESS SILENCED?

("Post" Special Commissioner).

mr. forbes' request REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS EMBARRASS SOME WITNESSES INTER-PARTY COMMITTEE

WELLINGTON, Monday. At the Prime Minister's request the Press of the Dominion has decided to turn a deaf ear to anything which might leak out during the deliberation stage of the Inter-Party Committee. This committee was not set up by the House itself, thus its doings are not guarded by privilege, and it is said that some of the statements made by witnesses which have. found their way into the columns of various newspapers have caused embarrassment. Mr. Forbes had said himself that if the Press continued to publish "leakages" they would have diflflculty in persuading people to give evidence. To this the newspapers have a good reply. If a man is prepared to make statements behind closed doors he should also be prepared to back them up in public. After all he is only giving the policy he thinks should be fojlowed, and if that policy is sound he has nothing to fear. If it is not then he has no kick coming if his arguments are torn to shreds.

Findings on Wednesday? Mr. Forbes hopes

that the committee will be able to present its findings to the House when it meets again on Wednesday, but there are a few who doubt whether the deliberations will be completed by that rlav. Of course.

there is no reason why they shouldn't

be. The secretariat had a digest of ev'dence prepared soon after the last witness was called, and little time should be wasted in coming to a basis, from which to build up a policy, if this is at all possible for a committee which is representative of three political parties.

Two Methods After a basis has been reached it should be plain sailing because there are apparently only two methods by which budgets can be balanced — either by more taxation or further economies. It is to be fervently hoped that the committee will be as business-like as a committee of politicians can be, because every day lost adds to the difficulties. The longer the committee sits also the greater is the expense which is being incurred for, although the House is adjourned the big sessional staff is still on the pay roll and each day means a substantial charge to the State.

Railways Board Report The report of the Railways Board on the lines under construction added a spice to the proceedings of the House on Thursday. It was generally expected that the Board would be drastic in its recommendations, but from the manner in which the report was received by members it was evident that several members fondly hoped that the lines in which they were interested might escape the Board's scrutiny. If the Board's figures are correct it would seem that their recommendations are justified at least until the transport system is straightened out. After all, if the new railways are not only going to increase the interest bill but also show a loss on actual working costs, there is little. to justify them unless they are opening •up big undeveloped districts which give promise of adding considerably to the national income. Of course it may be said that the Board did not have the time to make a complete survey of the position, but the present is not the time for lavish expenditure on railway construction on the expectation of problematical returns in the' future. Now to Be Ratified The Board's decision has now to be ratified by both Houses of Parliament and the Prime Minister has not yet decided whether the report will be adopted as a Government policy. When discussing the problem last night, Mr. Forbes stated that the usual procedure adopted was for a resolution or a series of resolutions to be moved in the House upon the Board's conclusions. Parliament could then take whatever action it desired. Interest In Government's Attitude The question of the Government suppoi'ting the Board's decision would have to be considered by Cabinet. Mr. Forbes thought, however, that members should be. given a full hand in speaking and voting according to their beliefs on certain lines. Members of the other parties are awaiting the Government's decision with considerable interest. Certain members of the Reform Party believe that the lines should be considered as a whole rath'er than separately. Other members interested in certain lines, however, freely express the opinion that each line should be considered separately and justified on its merits. If the Government malces the question a party one, it will not have the support of Mr. E. F. Healy, the junior whip, who as the member for Wairau is the chief -advocate in the House of the -South Island Main Trunk line.