SYDNEY CIVIC AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18018, 17 February 1922, Page 6

SYDNEY CIVIC AFFAIRS.

PROPOSED COMMISSION.

PREMIER REFUSES REQUEST.

Following the defeat of the Labour Party in the municipal elections, the Sydney City Council carried a resolution, which the Labour members opposed, asking the State Government to appoint a Royal Commission to conduct an inquiry regarding the civio administration. The council agroed to the Labour minority's proposal that the inquiry should cover the period since January 1. 1905. The Premier has, however, refused a commission. A letter from the Premier read at a recent meeting of the council, stated that "it is invariably the practice of requests for the appointment of Royal Commissions to be accompanied either by a statoment of specific charges against somo person or persons named, or of specific evidence establishing &omo reasonable ground for the belief that there has been wrong-doing, or some irregularity of procedure, which demands investigation. ''Neither course has been followed in tho present instance, as the council has merely asked that a tribunal shall be appointed to review the whole of the administration of the City Council, extending over a period of 17 years. "The Premier is confident that it will be readily apparent to the council, on reconsideration, that IT is not possible for him to ask Cabinet to consider a request couched in such general terms, for tho appointment of a tribunal with a roving commission, whose labours may not be concluded for years. "If, however, tho council will frame specific charges, or supply evidence establishing reasonable grounds for euspecting malfeasance, he will be pleased to submit the request to his colleagues in Cabinet at an early date, and acquaint the City Council of their determination."