The Hutt News Wednesday, June 26, 1946 PUBLICITY

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 4, 26 June 1946, Page 7

The Hutt News Wednesday, June 26, 1946 PUBLICITY

There will be widespread approval of the remarks of the .•hiiirmaii of the Lower Butt Katepayers' Association .regarding the desirability of publicity when matters of great public importance are being dealt with by the City Council or other local body. Of course there are sometimes aspects of n question about which premature publicity is undesirable, but as a general ride the more a proposal is ventilated and threshed out the more likelihood there is of misunderstandings being removed and the proposal being the best for everyone concerned when finally adopted. As staled in this column, previously the value of publicity was strikingly exemplified some weeks ago. When the new rate assessments were sent out without an explanatory statement there was an outcry from ratepayers who did not understand the'position. When the position was explained and a promise made that anomalies' would be corrected most of the criticism and opposition disappeared. The public controversy over bus stops and its ventilation in the Press also cleared the air considerably. ; At the last meeting of the City Council the Mayor stopued a councillor who was bringing forward a. resolution connected with 'St. James' Church, which was recently destroyed by fire. This attitude was difficult to understand. If, as seemed apparent, talks were proceeding regarding the site of the new church in relation to the town planning scheme, why could not that fact be mentioned'? It was the most natural development in the world that following the fire and- consideration of " the rebuilding of the church, either on the present site or another one, such discussions should take place, and one fails to see why publication of the fact would do any barm. except under exceptional, circumstances the public has a right to the fullest information regarding public questions, ami Mayor and Councillors would be well advised to give all the publicity possible.