PUBLICITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1916, Page 7

PUBLICITY.

(To the Editor.)' Sir,—During the past three years the transactions of the Borough have been more important than at any time in its history, and yet the ratepayers have been kept uninformed, owing to much of the work of the Council being done in committee and to the exclusion of the press from the committee room. Last year there was passed by the Council a resolution that the press should be allowed to report proceedings in committee, but the chairman was authorised to veto this right if lie thought the occasion warranted it. Instead of the veto being the exception it is the rule, hence the public are kept in the dark as to the views of the various councillors on matters oi im porlance, and as to the reasons which guide councillors in supporting or opDosing resolutions. Two meetings have been hell this week, at which much was done, but what do the public know? I am sure that it is not the wish of Councillors to keep the ratepayers in the dark, but I do think that they fail to estimate (he importance of taking the ratepayers into their confidence, and of opening their doors to the healthy breezes of public opinion. lam etc., RATEPAYER.