INFORMATION NOT GIVEN

Evening Star, Issue 21723, 18 May 1934, Page 1

INFORMATION NOT GIVEN

COUNCILLOR LEAVES SEAT ALLEGES " STAR CHAMBER" METHODS [Pm United Press Association.l WELLINGTON, Alay 18. Sayino- that he refused to sit in a “Star ‘’Chamber,’f Councillor P. M. Butler walked out of the meeting of the Wellington City Council” a s a protest against what he described as the refusal of an ordinary member’s right to be given information to which ho contended any councillor was entitled. . The dispute .arose when Or Butler asked the Mayor (Mr Hislop) whether the information ho had previously sought was now available. It related to "the question of co-ordination between the various departments of the City Engineer’s office. Mr Hislop road a prepared reply from an officer of the council. , . , Cr Butler said the information he desired had still not been furnished. “There must he a limit, to the information which a member of the council is entitled to have from the council’s officers, otherwise their work would bo interrupted to an unnecessary extent by the preparation of all sorts of returns ”, said Mr Hislop. “ However, if the council as a whole asks for the information, it must be supplied.” . ■ Cr Butler said he understood the information lor which ho had asked was available. There was no limit to what a councillor might ask lor. If there ■was* thero would bo iL Stai* Chamber * methods. Councillor Fraser moved that the standing orders be suspended to enable Ci- Butler’s request to be ventilated in the mamier of a formal debate, but the motion was defeated 9-6, the Labour members voting in support. Cr Butler thereupon left the meeting.