INDEFINITE CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 70, 23 March 1928, Page 9

INDEFINITE CHARGES.

COUNCIL AND MR MURRAY.

government refuses

COMMISSION.

"I WILL NOT PAY EXPENSES."

The Murray charges were before the City Council again last evening, when a telegram was read from the assistant under-secretary of the Internal Affairs Department, stating that the acting Minister had decided that there were insufficient definite charges made against the City Council's administration, and he was unable to agree to the setting up of a commission. The telegranT, which was forwarded yesterday, concluded with the statement that "a letter has been posted you to-day."

The Mayor explained that the council had not received the letter, but the Government had made a definite announcement.

Mr. W. H. Murray said he regretted that the Government had not seen fit to set up a commission. He wished to know whether he would have an opportunity to discuss the Minister's letter when it came to hand.

s The Mayor: When it comes before j tile council. He moved that on receipt r the letter a copy be forwarded to Mr. Murray, and that he be given seven days in which to make a reply, the reply to be forwarded to Cabinet with a request that the Government should give the matter further consideration. Public Concern. Mr. J. A. C. Allum was of opinion that the resolution should be much stronger. He had intended to move to the effect that, # in view of the public concern attaching to the charges over a long period, the Minister should be urged to reconsider the position. Notwithstanding his reluctance to set up a commission owing to the lack of definite charges, the inquiry should be prosecuted and the whole of the charges receive the fullest investigation. There had been so much suggestion and innuendo that nothing short of the suggested inquiry would be suitable to the public generally. "If," he added, "Councillor Murray cannot produce something to satisfy the Minister, we should ask the Minister to accede to our request." Mr. A. J. Entrican thought the telegram and the letter, when it arrived, should be re/erred to the Finance Committee for a report. Mr. Murray should receive a copy of the letter, but the committee should report what, in its opinion, was the council's duty. Mr. Murray pointed out that the 1 council's decision to ask the Government to institute an inquiry was unanimous < Subsequently he had received a letter from the council's solicitors stating that t

the onus of responsibility lay upon liiß (Mr. Murray's) shoulders if the commission felt fit to mulct him in the expenses of the inquiry. He considered that absurd. No right thinking man could support such a contention. "I would not in any circumstances," he said, "engage in any commission unless I had an undertaking in writing from the council that 1 am immune from any charges whatever as far as expenses are concerned." He agreed that a commission should be set up. When the Minister's letter arrived and he received a copy of it he would reply. Miss E. Melville suggested that Mr. Murray should personally urge the Minister to set up the commission. It was improper to discuss the costs. That was for the commission to decide. Mr. Murray: May I reply? The Mayor: Certainly not. The motion was carried unanimouslv. A Further Breeze. Later in the evening a further reference to Mr. Murray's charges was made when the Market and Stores Committee's report was under discussion. This report related to an application by Mr. Murray for information regarding the supply of kerbs and pitchers to the'council during the period February 16, 1925 to February 22, 1928. Mr. Murray had asked for full details of supplies, delneiies, etc. As he had already been supplied with returns involving considerable preparation, "and which did not appear to have served any useful purpose," the committee decided to refer the application to the council. u V . lurra y complained of difficulties ne had had in obtaining information Jle was the best judge as to whether the details he required "served any useful purpose." J U1

Mr. Allum said he would support Mr. 3lurray if he would come straight out and say something was wrong. Mr. J. B. Paterson (chairman of the committee) said the committee had had the question of kerbs and pitchers under PoST M f r ° r \ t Mr - Jl " rra > raised tl" with fisn ■; Murray had been supplied with 680 items covering 16 of an innocent one. Councillors had a statutory right to information, but that r!, not a rovi "S commission *o further action was taken.