Matters Hidden from Public

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 44, 22 February 1938, Page 7

Matters Hidden from Public

Cr. Hodgens Wants To Know Wh* CENSORSHIP OF CITY COUNCIL ORDER PAPERS Reference to a censorship of the order papers supplied to the Press and the public gallery, of business which comes before the meetings of the Palmerston North City Council, was made by Cr. J. Hodgens, M.P., at last night’s meeting of the council. Referring first of all to the order paper in the public gallery, C*. Hodgens said certain pages were missing. He understood there was a resolution on the books of the council that a copy of the business- to come before it should be placed in the public gallery for the bonefit of any residents who cared to attend and follow the discussions intelligently. The copy placed in the publics gallery that evening did not contain details of certain business that whs coming before the council. He was sure restriction had been made by the council when the proposal had been agreed to years ago. “I have heard that the same thing applies to the Press table—that certain matters which come before the council for its consideration are withheld from the reporters,” Cr. Hodgens proceeded. Much of the business before the council came from committees, which obviously did their work in committee, and when their reports came before the council, he did not think there was any precedent for keeping them away from the public. In this case there was evidence that certain matters were prevented from coming under the notice of the public. Periodically he had had complaints from the Press that the reports which were supplied to them were far from complete. “I submit,” Cr. Hodgens continued, “that after committees have come to decisions and their recommendations are being considered by an open rneel* ing of the council, all should be available to the Press to transmit to the general public. If there is anything which the council wishes to exclude from publication,, then there is provision by which it may be done, by' the council going into committee. But somehow or other a procedure had de- \ eloped by which the public is denied information. 1 don’t think the council has ever agreed by resolution to do that. ’ * Concluding, Cr. Hodgens asked the Ala} or if the matter had ever been brought to his notice. The Mayor said he was unaware of the matters complained of. On previous occasions matters had been kept from the Press, and Cr. Hodgens kuew that, because he had been a chairmuu of a committee. The town clerk (Mr. J. R. liar die) said that there had been eliminated from the order paper suppl&d to the Press and tho public gallery certain matters relating to consumers’ discounts. At other times he had marked out special clauses where application* were made for the remission of rat**. The matter was not pursued any further. Also deleted from the order paper* supplied to the Press for last mgnt’» meeting was a report by tIX jubiloo celebrations committee, which, the 4 4 Times ’ * understands, disclosed that the council would be called on to mak* up a much bigger loss than the publ.c has generally been led to imagine. Deleted from the order jiaper lor the Press at many previous meetings of the council have been recommendations by committees (subsequently carried) involving the expenditure of public money; also recommendations regarding the council’s staff and on contention* subjects.