"PURSUIT OF TRUTH."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 11

"PURSUIT OF TRUTH."

CITY ADMINISTRATION. MB. MURRAY'S DIFFICULTIES NEW COUNCIL SUGGESTED.

A letter ha s been sent to the town clerk by Mr. W. H. Murray commenting upon the impasse that has been reached «J the investigation of the charges he has made in regard to city administration.: • • - .*' - 7?,

Mr. Murray states that the council has refused to permit returns to be furnishfcd to Mm which might have materi* ally assisted him in providing more detailed specifications of municipal wastefulness and excessive expenditure, and, more important, indemnification by the council against any expenses in respect of any commission of inquiry held. Murray points out that the council, by resolution, asked for an inquiry, and there was nothing to inspire him with the belief that the Government had considered setting up a commission. Still, he was prepared to assist the council in pressing for the setting up of a judicial commission, and was willing to act as a delegation from the council, to go to Wellington, and urge that an inquiry should be held.

"Prepared to Repeat Charges." Mr. Murray states that he is prepared to repeat the various charges which he has made from the public platform, and is ready to proceed with his available evidence in supporting the statements which he has made.

Mr. Murray says that he approves of the Under-Secretary's pronouncement to the effect that, "It will be realised that, prima facie, the setting up of a commission will indicate the possibility of a very serious position as regards the administration of the City Council." He is of the opinion that the official evidence contains sufficiently definite material upon which any judicial commission could effectively launch and complete an investigation. Had the council's investigating committee resumed on January 20 last the taking of evidence, as arranged further definite material would have been placed on record by the oral testimony of new witnesses.

"Should Resign In a Body." Mr. Murray says that antagonism and disinclination to supply official data has militated against the fulfilment of the council's unanimous expression of its alleged desire for a judicial inquiry, and that its attitude, coupled with refusals to supply certain required details, has added considerably to his labour in the pursuit of truth at the Town Hall. He suggests that the present City Council should resign in a body, so that the electors may promptly select a new council more suited to the city's present requirements, problems and'necessities. Failing a commission, with resignation and a fresh election, the occasion might be appropriate for a prompt imitation of Sydney's Civic Commission.