OPEN MEETINGS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 8, 11 January 1943, Page 4

OPEN MEETINGS

NO BAN ON THE PRESS

PRODUCTION COUNCIL VIEW

The attendance of the Press at meetings of Primary Produce Councils was again discussed by the Auckland District Council, when, at to-day's meeting, a request was received from the National Council that the Auckland and all other district councils should exclude the Press from their meetings.

The subject was discussed for a considerable time in committee, and on resuming in open meeting, the chairman, Mr. R. C. Clark, moved a resolution, which was carried with only two dissentients, expressing its attitude as follows:—"The Auckland District Council regrets that it does not agree with the opinion of the National Council that representatives of the Press should be excluded from its meetings. It considers that this is a matter that should be decided by the National Council and each district council for itself. It is of opinion that it has responsibilities not only to the Minister and the National Council, but also to the agricultural community, by whom, at the Minister's request, the greater number of its representatives were appointed; It cannot agree that 'being financed by the State' lessens this dual responsibility, and holds that this responsibility is best served by each council acting as the requirements of local conditions demand." !