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Northern Advocate, 12 March 1948, Page 4

The North Auckland ElectricPower Board yesterday reverted to the procedure il followed for several years, but which was altered by two resolutions passed at the previous meeting.

The decision of the board to rescind the resolutions passed at the February meeting is the culmination of controversy extending over the greater part of last year’s session of the board.

It is interesting to recall the circumstances of the controversy,

which revolved round the question whether the board members, sitting as a finance committee, should deal with the business of the board, or whether all business should first come before open board and be dealt with publicly, with the exception of any matter the board might decide should be taken in committee, the decision of which would be reported in open board.

It was argued by opponents of the existing procedure that the ratepayers, who should be kept informed of the business done by the board, were denied that right, and, because of the secrecy imposed upon members of the board when sitting as members of the finance committee, they were unable to enlighten their constituents as to any decisions made in committee.

Supporters of the procedure, on their part, contended that, for the greater part, matters which come up

for consideration at board meetings concern private business arrangements between consumers and suppliers of power, and which would not be given publicity by any commercial firm or undertaking. For that reason, it was urged, such matters if brought before open board, would have to be referred to the finance committee (consisting of all the members of the board), which would mean unnecessary waste of time, as the same members, sitting again as an open board, would be asked to confirm what they had done in committee.

Against this it was argued, and we were among supporters of the argument, that while intimate business negotiations between consumers and suppliers might be given privacy if the board members, sitting as an open board, decided that such treatment was necessary, there should be adherence to the principle that ratepayers have a right to know what their representatives do and why they do it.

The board has now decided to fol- i low its old course, and their rate- j payers will be in the position they j occupied hitherto, but it is to be j hoped that the board will realise ! that the more publicity it gives -:j j the business which comes before it. * the greater will be the interest man;- j fested in its affairs, and the less 1 ground will anybody have for sug- j gesting that things are done in com- j mittee which should not be done. ■