WHY THE SECRECY?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 183, 4 August 1937, Page 6

WHY THE SECRECY?

. The board of inquiry into the circumstances of the fatal accident at Big Bay has found that the pilot of the 'plane "failed to exercise that cam and skill which the circumstances demanded." The pilot protests that owing to the inquiry being held in private, in spite of his objections, the full evidence has not been made available to the public, and he challenges the accuracy of the evidence given concerning the stalling speed of the 'plane. His contention on this point may be right or wrong ; as the public had no opportunity to hear or read the evidence no opinion can be formed. A more important question is whether this, described as "the first formal inquiry into an air accident/ , should have been secret. Marine inquiries are held in the open, and the public would not allow them to be held secretly. Why should air inquiries be secret f It is not sufficient that the investigating body should be fair and its conclusions sound. It is necessary also that the public should have the opportunity o f convincing itself on these matters. The Government should resolve that this first secret inquiry shall be also the last.