BUSINESS IN COMMITTEE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 February 1943, Page 5

BUSINESS IN COMMITTEE

TOO MUCH TIME TAKEN UP. POWER BOARD MEMBER’S COMPLAINT. (“Times-Age” Special.) ■ Prior to the conclusion of business at the Wairarapa Power Board meeting at Carterton yesterday, Mr H. P. Hugo said that too much time was taken up in committee in dealing with the board’s business. “We should have more publicity of our activities,” he said. He quoted the publicity given to other public institutions in the district. “The Wairarapa Power Board should be before the public more than it is,” he stated. “Instead, we are the least Reported of any local body. The fault is our own. We spend too much time in committee. Reporters cannot be expected to wait outside the board room so long. Complaints have been made to me of, the press having to waste time in attending our meetings and waiting for two hours before being allowed to report meetings, owing to committee work. Mr Colquhoun: “No one debars the press from our meetings, and we welcome them on all occasions, but breaches have occurred and reporters should remember that when business is in committee it is not their privilege to report it.” Mr Hugo: “That does not do away with the fact that we spend too much time in committee.” He moved that in future meetings of the finance committee be concluded at 10.30 a.m., and that the Press be admitted for the ordinary business at that time.” The motion was carried.