IN COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1916, Page 4

IN COMMITTEE.

Considerable dissatisfaction is again be-1 in;; expressed at the meagre information available for the ratepayers of Xew Plymouth concerning borough affairs. The fault in no. way lies with the press, which is always ready and willing to publish full reports of the Council and Committee meetings, but the powers that b" take effective steps to prevent their discussions, on important matters seeing the light of day by adopting what is generally described as the "Star Chamber'' method, or its equivalent—going into committee thereby securing secrecy. Some while ago a motion was carried to the effect that committee meetings should be open to the press, but for all the good that resolution effected it might as well have remained unrecorded. Practically all that the public know about borough business is contained in the committees' reports, but as these are not infrequently censored the ratepayers of the borough only receive such information as tlie Council or its officers please. One consequence of this secrecy is that it may, and probably does, engender the suspicion that there is a motive for gagging tlie press, and, though this may not be the ease, no other conclusion can he arrived at under the circumstances. It I'- neither wise nor politic to pursue a policy that deprives the ratepayers of that accurate knowledge of borough affairs to which they are entitled. It is well known that matters of great importance connected with finance, streets, tramways, and other affairs are continually being discussed beliind the closed doors of the Council and its committees. Some councillors are averse to this objectionable method, but they do not appear to have the courage of their convictions sufficiently at their command to call for a division oil every occasion that a proposal is made to go into committee. In fact tlie present position in connection with that matter is that the question of going into committee is now rarely, if ever, put from the chair, but the mere statement is made to the effect that the ensuing business will be taken i:i committee. Tlie ratepayers, who provide tlie funds, send representatives to form tlie Council to administer the affairs of the borough, not in secrecy, but in such a way that what is being done from time to time shall be known, so that the Council's action may he approved or opportunity given for criticism before it is too late to apply a remedy. We contend that the Council should take the citizens into their confidence by conducting their business in open meeting. If the Council is in a tight corner over finances it is tlie ratepayers they must look to for providing a way out. Whether the borough position Is good, bad, or indifferent, keeping the citizens in ignorance is not calculated either to inspire confidence or to enthuse them in borough affairs. The Mayor and Council are trustees for the citizens, and as such should give an account of their stewardship in the only way possible, by having the business transacted reported in the press. It is hoped that there will be no further need to refer to this matter,