NOT ON EXHIBITION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19943, 30 October 1934, Page 6

NOT ON EXHIBITION

UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC A question was asked by Mr G. T. Roller at last night’s meeting of the Timaru Unemployment Committee as to whether the public were debarred from attending meetings of the committee, and if so, what steps should be taken to throw the meetings open. The Mayor: We sit as an unemployment committee absolutely. Mr Roller: It seems to me that as this is a public body dealing with public money The Mayor: No. We are here as a buffer between the Unemployment Board and the unemployed. Mr Roller: Yes, we are doing the dirty work. The Mayor: I would not say that. Mr Roller: Well, I am prepared to say it. The chief function of this committee is to do the dirty work of the Unemployment Board. This is a body administering public money, and I see no reason why the public should be prevented from attending. God knows why they want to come here, but I will move that the meetings be open to the public. The Mayor: We are simply acting for the Board in Wellington. There is no reason in the world why we should ask the public to come here. The newspapers give a fair report of the proceedings. Mr Roller: I am not casting any reflection on the newspapers. Will you accept my resolution? The Mayor: No, but I will write to Wellington for a ruling if that will suit you. Mr Roller: That will do in the meantime. Mr J. G. Leckie: If a ratepayer came here would you expel him? The Mayor: This has nothing to do with the ratepayers. Mr Roller: I know of an occasion when 50 or 60 came. The Mayor: Is that what you are referring to? If it is going to drift into that sort of thing, we might as well disband. The public can’t help us. Mr Roller: We might help the public. Mr J. McCort: I submit we are not on exhibition. We are a committee.