IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENTS TO BE CHALLENGED

Wanganui Chronicle, 13 December 1949, Page 4

IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENTS TO BE CHALLENGED

Harbour Board To Take Legal Action If The Need Arises

A decision to take a stahd in the future against irresponsible .statements about the conduct of the board’s affairs made at public meetings was made at yesterday’s meeting of the Wanganui Harbour Board when it was decided to take legal action in future in cases where the integrity of board members was held up to criti-

The matter was raised by Mr. E. J. Kirk, who instanced statements made at a recent meeting which he claimed insinuated corrupt practices by members of the board in the past.

Pointing out to board members the prevalence of irresponsible statements about the management ol the board, Mr. Kirk said that at the last meeting of the council of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce a statement had been made by a member imriving the use of corrupt practices. The statement made was that a certain member of the board who had served for 14 years had resigned. The speaker had dropped his voice and said “he resigned because he had to.” While members of the board could laugh at such innuendos, there were people among the general public who tdok notice of such statements. He considered that the board should ask the people who made such statements to back them Up, and If that could not be done, take legal action. In this case the inference in the statement was that there had been corrupt practices. He moved that the board should consider seeking legal advice in such cases. “There is no doubt that that was the tone of the speaker's rehiarks,” said Mr. G. G. Burgess, who was also at the meeting. The speaker, he said, had also made irresponsible statements about the quarries being closed down after thousands and thousands Of pounds had been spent on them without anything to show for the money expended.

“I do not think there is a case to answer,” said Mr. D. McGregor, who said that he would have something to say if statements were made about the present board. He had read in the press report of the meeting about the presence of “pressure groups,” but there was no bigger pressure group th New Zealand than the Chamber of Commerce. No one could get anywhere without exercising pressure these days. Mr. Kirk: You are speaking in favour of them?

Mr. McGregor: You will never get anywhere without exercising pressure. Stating that he took exception to the criticism of past - oards, Mr. W.. Morrison said he had Been a member of the board for many years and he Was prepared to take his share of the credit or blame for what had been done In the past. He ■ Said that the statement which had been made about shell rock being more expensive than concrete blocks was Incom V. He explained that at the time large stones

were available at the quarries. The work was done by unemployed under Government subsidy and the cost of the stone was considerably less than concrete blocks. When tenders were called later a firm had tendered for shell rock at a lower cost than the concrete blocks. He was satisfied that: there was a complete answer to all the questions that had been asked. If these people came to the managing secretary or any member of the board he was sure that they could secure the information they required. Mr. A. A. Winwood did not favour the board being dictated to by outside bodies, but he considered people were entitled to know what board was doing. Surely the board would not object to an inquiry. Members of the board had nothing to hide and he was not aware of any member who had not done his best. The chairman (Mr. E. A. Millward) said that the board was not opposed to a public inquiry being held, but. said that such an inquiry was not warranted. “I don’t think it matters much whether there is a public inquiry or not provided the board or the country is not asked to foot the bill,” said Mr. W. F. Cummings. The point was that people could approach the managing secretary or any member of the board for information on harbour affairs.

“The public can, if it likes, file in here and sit and listen to this meeting,” said Mr. Cummings. “I don't see anyone here. That is how interested the people are in harbour matters. He considered that any irresponsible statements should be checked and if found to , be false then legal advice sought. “Who was the gentleman who resigned from the board?" asked Mr. Kirk. "Perhaps one of the old members can tell us?” “I take it that he was a member who did not wish to stand for another term. There was no question of resigning,” said the chairman. He said he preferred not to comment on the statement at the moment in view of possible legal action. He explained that the board had never favoured an inquiry. The position was that it did not object to one, considering that an inquiry was unwarranted. A check of all irresponsible statements should be made, said Mr. Kirk. He had heard the same statement made at another meeting. ’lt is time We dug our heels in and took legal action against these people,” he said. He took exception to the hint of corruption. Mr. Kirk’s motion was carried.