SECRETS MADE PUBLIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19699, 27 July 1927, Page 10

SECRETS MADE PUBLIC.

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION.

REPORT OF A COMMISSION.

SOURCE OF LEAKAGE UNKNOWN.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] ' .. WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

Leakages have occurred in connection with the report of the Representation Commission, according to a statement made in the House to-day by the Minister in charge of the Electoral Department, Hon. A. D. McLeod. The Minister said that if the individual responsible could be found the Government would make an example of him. The Minister said that for some time rumours concerning what were supposed to be the final decisions of the commission had been current • and those which had been circulated within the last day or two about the alterations of boundaries and the names of electorates appeared to be correct. He did not want it thought that he or the Government were in any way attempting to mislead members of Parliament. It was unfortunate that the leakages should have taken place. The Chairman of the Representation Commission had informed the Minister that more than one person had asked him for confirmation of the rumours, and the chairman's reply, as it had been to all such inquiries, was that the information would be made available when the papers were placed before the House. During the last three of four days it had been necessary for the papers to go to the printing office, where their contents might become the property of . several hundreds. Undoubtedly leakages had taken place at Some stage. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland : What' does it matter ? The Minister: In fairness to the House a few members should not be aware of. the position when the others are not. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) : Do-you suggest that someone in the Government Printing Office was responsible? The Minister: I am making no suggestion, but if I could lay my hands on the public servant Or whoever he. may be the Government • would certainly make an example of him. ■■■,-» - ... . Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon): It ,is, possible the leakage may have c6me from the Commission..-.. The Minister: I am.-not. prepared to say, but I regret that any leakage has I occurred. v ' • ' ' I