CITY'S BUSINESS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 72, 28 March 1929, Page 10

CITY'S BUSINESS

REPLY TO THE MAYOR

TOO MUCH IN COMMITTEE

'AUTOCRATIC ATTITUDE'

A reply •• to tho statement made by the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) yesterday in answer to Councillor B. Semplo's criticism of the'council in regard to tlio taking of too much city business in committee, was made to a "Post" reporter to-day jointly by Councillors Semplo and M'Keen. They maintain that it was never intended that the Finance Committee should not report, as do other committees, to the full council in open meeting on regular council nights.

"The Mayor's reply," they stated, "is not based upon fact. It is quite true that we supported the proposal that every member' of the council should take his seat at the meeting of the Finance Committee, but the intention was that that committee should function as a committee and that all matters of importance, particularly matters of finance, should be referred on to the open council at its Thursday night meetings for endorsement or otherwise, giving each councillor the opportunity to voice his opinion upon the items in the presence of the public, and the Press. We submit that ratepayers who return men to public positions should know how they vote upon questions that vitally affect the city, and particularly upon questions of finance. The Mayor has taken unto himself the power to declare the committee in- open council and to move that the work done in committee bo approved, and has, in practice, whatever the theory may be, reserved to himself the right to give to the Press on Tuesday morning what he thinks' should be given and to hold back opinions upon matters of a controversial nature.

"Not only have we protested continu,ously, in council and out, against the autocratic attitude of the Mayor, but other councillors have also raised objections. Councillor H. D. Bennett, chairman of tho Works Committee, has protested in the council and has warned the Mayor that it was a dangerous practice and was not in accordance with the intention of the council when the new constitution of the Finance Committee was decided upon. We have this morning approached Councillor Bennett, and he has reaffirmed his opinion upon this question. It is no-use tho Mayor shuffling the question. He knows right well that his attitude upon this question is contrary to the original intention when tho committee was formed. DEPUTATIONS AND THE COUNCIL, "In regard to the hearing of deputations by full council, .the Mayor has said that too much council time is taken up by public deputations and refers to Parliamentary practice. There is no analogy between Parliament and the City Council, and it has been tho undis- | puted" right of ratepayers for years past to approach in open council those whom they have elected to represent them with requests that matters' of urgency in their districts should be given consideration. The statement that deputations are coming before the council because an election.is approaching is also quite incorrect. Deputations arc seeking to approach the City Council because we are ncaring the end of the financial year and estimates for the new financial year are being prepared. Deputations have waited upon committes during the year and have received no satisfaction) and ask now to be allowed to lay their cases before the full council. They have been told that no money is available at the time they made their representations, but that their requests would receive consideration when the next yearns estimates were being prepared. They have accepted that advice, and wish to come forward now when estimates are being prepared. , For the Mayor to say that it/is because an election is approaching^ leaving the impression that certain councillors are merely voteseeking is ill-becoming of a' gentleman who occupies the high position of Mayor of .this City."