CITY INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 56, 30 November 1923, Page 6

CITY INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE

MR. MITCHELL REPLIES TO THE MAYOR

“I have read the Mayor’s statement wherein he makes a belated effort to justify his extraordinary attitude in opposing the Investigation Committee's proposals to apply business methods in purchasing the city’s requirements : and the proper control of them when they are purchased,” states ■Councillor G. Mitchell. “His Worship does not seem to realise what the application of business method's means in economy and efficiency, and our duty to the ratepayers to see that their money is economically spent. It was unfortunately clear that His Worship and one member of the council were determined to oppose the report whatever its contents, and afterwards sought for a ground to justify their opposition, and. together with much irrelevant matter, conjured up extravagant estimates of the cost. A huge, costly department is not necessary, and was never in tho minds of the committee. Their further report, which will reach tho Mayor to-day, will be sufficient answer in this respect. It may be pointed out that the Mayor’s amendment was not opposed to the principle embodied in the report. He agreed that something should be done, but wished to put off applying the remedy to a later date, lie wished to procrastinate. with the inevitable result which procrastination brings. As chairman of the Harbour Board, I do not propose to associate that body in this controversy. I will not reply to the Mayor’s statements with regard to the board's store, but request you to apply to the general manager, Mr. Marchbanks. who is well qualified to judge, and who will not hesitate to express an emphatic opinion in favour of the committee's proposals if you will be good enough to refer the matter to him. The report requires no justification. It is based on fact and carries its own conviction. Lot us apply tho remedy iin tho interests of efficiency and economy. We will be thus serving the ratepayers who elected us, tho employees who servo the citv, and the city itself.”