INQUIRY IN PUBLIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21515, 12 June 1933, Page 8

INQUIRY IN PUBLIC

The proceedings of the Tariff Commission now hearing evidence on the subject of customs revision differ from those of bodies which have made similar inquiries in the past. They are public, and are reported just as a court of law would be. On other occasions representations have been heard privately, and there has not even been a summary of the evidence issued, as is often done when a Royal Commission produces its report. Indeed, the very report itself has not been made public on at least one occasion. It is already apparent from what has appeared concerning the body now sitting in Wellington that the proceedings are of public interest and importance. The whole community is likely to be touched by the duties which are being discussed. Some are engaged in industries for which more or less protection is being demanded by one side or the other: some would be directly affected if the duties were raised or lowered, more would be indirectly. All, as taxpayers, are concerned in what is done with the tariff as a whole. The people contribute the revenue which is collected through the Customs Department, they must contribute in somo other way if changes reduce the yield. These are the reasons why the hearing should be public. The main argument in the past against making it open has been that witnesses would not be forthcoming because tljey would not reveal the details of their business. This consideration has not provented evidence from being collected in tariff inquiries abroad. It is not preventing it here. The innovation of. public proceedings has already justified itself.