PRESS ADMITTED TO MEETINGS

Southland Times, Issue 24756, 29 May 1942, Page 5

PRESS ADMITTED TO MEETINGS

HARBOUR BOARD POLICY More opportunities are to be given to the Press to report future meetings of the Bluff Harbour Board as a result of a decision at the annual meeting yesterday. It was decided to invite the Press'to attend all committee meetings of the board, subject to the board’s discretion to request that certain matters should not be reported. Mr D. H. Cockburn asked whether the system agreed to a year ago to exclude the Press was working satisfactorily. He understood the secretary (Mr R. N. Porter) was supplying the Press with reports of officers and any decisions of importance. The system certainly saved reporters waiting two or three hours during a meeting, but at the same time when matters of public importance were discussed it was a pity that the Press did not have full opportunity to inform the public of the proceedings. Captain R. J. Hamilton said he agreed with Mr Cockburn. The board was a public body and should hold its meetings in public. In reply to a question, the secretary said the board had decided a year ago to exclude the Press except at the formal board meetings. The chairman (Mr W. J. A. McGregor) said the reporters were permitted to attend all open board meetings. Mr Cockbum moved that the previous policy be reverted to and the Press admitted to all meetings. The motion was carried.