CITY TRANSPORT POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25851, 23 May 1945, Page 3

CITY TRANSPORT POLICY

Sir, —It passes my comprehension to understand why, on controversial matters, your paper should publish statements so contrary to fact. In your report of last night's council meeting you say, “ In spite of the fact that the committee reported a unanimous, decision with respect to the above recommendation, Cr McMillan, a member of the committee, moved an amendment completely vitiating the committee’s entire recommendations.” I was not—and let me emphasise the not—a member-of the committee that made the unanimous recommendation. Why say I was? Surely your conception of what was before council was not so muddled that you did not realise that there were two reports before coun-cil-one from the Transport Committee, of which I am a member, and which was a majority and not a unanimous recommendation, and one from the Finance Committee, of which I am not a member; and which was unanimous. So, too, further down, I did not refer to the council going “ madly ahead." I am always prepared to stand up to my opinions, but one gets weary of efforts to be put offside by mis-reportmg. Again, “ Moreover, he (Cr McMillan) was convinced that the anticipated increase in revenue would not eventuate. How could the wages bill be reduced by £19,000.” This should have read, “Moreover, he was convinced that the anticipated decrease in expenditure would not eventuate. How could the wages bill be reduced by £19,000 per annum.” It is a poor case that has to be buttressed by inaccuracy and misstatement of fact.—l am, etc., D. G. McMillan. 329 Highgate, May 22.

[There is certainly no effort on our part to put Dr McMillan “ offside by misreporting.” If he was misunderstood by our reporters on this occasion, we regret it. It is absurd to suggest that he was the victim of deliberate misrepresentation.—Ed. O.D.T.]