More News Of Its Activities To Be Given By Council

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29189, 27 April 1960, Page 18

More News Of Its Activities To Be Given By Council

(New Zealand Press Association)

PALMERSTON N„ April 26. The Palmerston North City Council tonight struck a blow against what was described by one speaker as “a trend throughout New Zealand for administrators to do too much of their business behind closed doors.” The council unanimously supported a motion by Cr. J. A. Walding that wherever possible business discussed in committee be confirmed only at the ordinary open monthly meetings of the council, and that where a time element was involved and it was desirable to hold an open meeting other than the monthly meeting, the press and public be invited to attend.

Cr. Walding said that much of the criticism of local body administration arose because the people were not told enough about what was being done. “We hear a great deal about the apathy of the public when the municipal elections are being held, and concern has been expressed about how few people vote,” he said. "But are we being fair in expecting the public to be wildly enthusiastic at times of elections when they are not kept informed and interested in local body activities?” Some things must be discussed in committee, said Cr. Walding, but much that need not be concealed was kept from the public. Another factor in the lack of debate on controversial issues at open council meetings was that some councillors who had taken part in a debate in committee felt

reluctant to speak again a few days later.

Anything short of his motion infringed on the rights of the people, said Cr. Walding. Sometimes, the council went into open meeting at the end of a long night’s committee meeting, and it could not expect the public to be available then, but the press could be given an intimation of the likelihood of the council going into open council, and any business confirmed could then be publicly reported. Cr. P. Kelliher said that works committee meetings frequently lasted until midnight, and then the council went into open meeting and confirmed decisions taken. There were times when the press was denied the right to be present to report discussions in open council.