THE WHEAT INQUIRY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17030, 15 August 1929, Page 7

THE WHEAT INQUIRY

PRESS TO BE ADMITTED • v COMMITTEE’S DECISION (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Parliamentary Committee which has been instructed to investigate \he operation of the protection to the wheat and flour industry held a meeting yesterday, at which it was unanimously decided to open its proceedings to the press when evidence is being taken. This was reported to the House by the chairman, Mr. C. A.. Wilkinson, Egmont, for- confirmation. Mr. W. J. Poison, Stratford, -remarked that he did not know whether this report enabled him to discuss the question. “I claim,” he continued, “that the public should know all that goes on, because this committee’s decisions, and its attitude, will be very largely criticised by the press and the public. This will be particularly ’so as the result of the Government’s attitude in regard to representation on the committee.” Mr, Speaker intervened to point out that it was not in order to discuss general questions on a motion to admit the press to hearings. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Leader of the Opposition, suggested that this ruling would limit the scope of members in giving reasons for or against the admission of the press, but Mr. Poison did not pursue the matter. The committee has decided that all sections of the community should be Invited to place evidence through their organisations or otherwise. It was agreed that -where any section of the community had an organisation much time would be saved if the views of that section were placed before the committee through their representatives, but that no interest, should be debarred from expressing its opinions through lack of organisation. It was also agreed that interested parties might be represented by counsel. The next meeting of the committee was fixed for Wednesday, August SI. In view of its possible bearing.oa next season’s sowing, the committee intends to present its report before the close of the present session of Parliament.