The Education Board.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9264, 31 August 1898, Page 2

The Education Board.

-«.**.>»' MUU.WMVI.VU JUWbUViI THE PEESS AND THE PUBLIC. Mr Beuke, in accordance with notice, moved that the meeting of the Board should be opened to the Press on both days, In the first place they were dealing with public funds, and the public had a right to know how they were disposed. It had been stated that members would talk to the reporters, but there was no doubt that the reporters would use their own discretion in that matter, and as regarded matters affecting personal character, the good sense of the Pres3 and th,e law of libel were a sufficient guarantee that nothing would appear that was improper. The Chairman said that he would oppose the motion for the reason that he could not see any good to come of it. In all other places these small matters of grants were not reported, only matters of interest being published. He did not personally care if ever> thing was reported, but he could not see that the reporters would learn any more by being present than at present, unless it was to see who proposed that a tank or some such thing should be granted. Mr Lock strongly supported the motion. No other question received the same interest throughout the country as the education question. Moreover, on many matters of principle the publication of a man's ideas was his only opportunity of putting himself right befors the public when a motion contrary was passed. Mr Phillips said that he would not oppose the motion, but he thought that the publication of the minutes of the first day's proceedings was quite sufficient. Mr Franklyn said that he would support the motion, as he was always in favor of everything being as fully published as possible, but he had not been able to support Mr Lock when he brought the same thing forward. Mr Beuke had put the thing in a gentlemanly way, for which he thanked him. Mr Lock made out that the Board were doing things in secret, which was a gross libel on the Board. Mr Lock rose to a point of order that Mr Franklyn could not refer to a past debate. The Chairman upheld Mr Lock's point. Mr Franklyn said that the only people he would be sorry for were the Press representatives. Mr Baigent said that he thought that more work was done if the reporters were not present to report long speeches. For his own part, he would be better pleased if the reporters were not there at all. Mr Maginnity said that it would be best to look at the reason for the present arrangements. The first day's meeting was held for the purpose of dealing with financial matters with all the privileges of the Committee, but there was no secrecy about the proceedings, the gist of which appeared in the papers -of the day and succeeding day. He would oppose the motion. Mr Lock trose to say that Mr Maginnity had make some mistakes. Mr Maginnity asked whether Mr Lock had the right to speak again ? The Chairman said that by the Board's by-laws a member could speak more than once, but those that had not spoken had the preference. Mr Maginnity said then that it appeared that the privileges of Committee were available at ordinary meetings. He deprecated anything being said or done to convey the idea that the Board had being doing anything in Committee which it had occasion to be ashamed. He would not wish the carrying of the motion to be looked upon as acknowledgment of wrong-doing in the past. On a division, the motion was carried — Ayes: Best, Beuke, Lock, Franklyn, and Phillips. Noes : The Chairman, Bailie, Baigent, and Maginnity. The Chairman later gave notice to move that the by-laws be amended so that a member should speak once only upon any motion except for the purpose of explanation, with the mover to have the right of reply.