IS IT FAIR?

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 34, 12 March 1930, Page 7

IS IT FAIR?

MR JULL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOANS BOARD. I *> STRONG ALLEGATIONS. Strong allegations that an unfair attitude was heing adopted by Mr A. E. Jull in his intention to appear hefox-e the Local Government Loans Board to support the application the Harbour Board has before the former board for a loan of £47,400 for inner harbour work, were made at the meeting of the Harbour Board to-day by Mr P. Higgins, who complained that it was unfair that a x'epresentative of those supporting the loan sliouid he sent when there was no intention to send a representative of those objecting. The whole matter was introduced bv ii letter from the Local Government Loans Board in regard to the loan, stating that the board's application wiU be considered at the next meeting of the Loans Board, the date of which has not yet heen deiinitely decided, but it is pi'oposed to hold same on or about March 19. It was pointed out that the Loans Boai'd would not, as a general rule, reeeive deputations in connection with applications for sanction, as it was desired that all information should be submitted in writing prior to the meeting at which the application was being considered, and unless under most exceptional circuinstances no fresh papers would be accepted at a meeting. There was, however, no objection to the Harbour Board sending • a representative in case the Loans Board, after having the proposal before it, wished to ask any question on detail. Mr Jull said he proposed to attend to answer any questions, as he would be in Wellington on that date.

"AiN UiNFAIR ATTITUDE." In reply to Mr Higgins Mr Jnll said he did not propose that tli© objectors should be represented before the Loans Board. Mr Higgins: Well, I axn sorry that you are taking that attitude. To me that is an unfair attitude. You must pleaded guilty to a certain amount of bias oxx this question and I axn afraid that when you go before the Loans Board any questions you may answer will be coloured by your bias. Mr Jull: Now, I don't think you had better go on in that strain, because I will not have it. You must withdi-aw .any suggestion that I axn biassed in this matter or that my replies to questions from the Loans Board will he coloui-ed by nxy bias Mr Higgins : Of course I willingly withdx-aw that suggestion It is hard to swallow a suggestion that you are not biassed hnt I accept it as it stands. ! MR BRYANT SUGGESTED, Mr Higgins wejit on to urge that, as Mr J ull was to appear before the Loans Board to support the application, the boai'd should also send sorneone to represent those who objected to the loan. He did not suggest that

f he cliairman would state anything to . the Loans Board that would be. untrue but it would be natural for him to take a party attitude and it was only fafr that the other side should be represented. He remai'ked that Mr J. C. rBryant would he in Wellington at the time and he ufged that he sliouid be appointed by the board to repr,esent tlie' objectors. In reply to Mr Higgins, Mr Jull said that he was not in favonr of that suggestion. MOST UNFAIR, Mr Higgins : Well, I thing % is a most unfair attitude, sir. Both sides should be represented before the Loans Board. It seems that an effort has been xnade to get the inner harbour side of this business before the Loans •Board, because in their letter they say bliat it is most nnusual for personal representations to be made in regard fco applications for loans. I know that. despite repeated efforts, the Gity Gouncil was refused permission to appear before the Loans Board • in regard j to the Criterion hlock. As you are going there to support the loan I think that a representative of the objectors to the loan should also go to put their side. COCKPIT OF ARGUMENT. Mr Jull: The suggestibn that the board should turn the Loans Board meeting into a cockpit of argument between those favouring the loan and tl:ose opposinrr it does not appeal to me at all. Mr Higgins : I think the Loans Board I could be left to safely deal with that. Mr Jull said that the board had depided bv a majoritv to ask tbe Loans Board for autlioritv for the loan. Mr Higgins : With three objectors to the motion. Mr Jull. continuing, said that the chairman was just the chairman of the I board and he would he there solely to put fairly the opinions of the majority of the board. He had never made a statement that was not a fact and would not do so before the Loans Kncurn

"NOT FOUNDED ON FAGT." Mr Higgins : Unfortunately, some statements are not founded on fact. Tlie board then appointed Mr Jull tc represent the board, Mr Higgins voting against the motion. * It was stated tliat the Marine Department had asked for seven copies of the board's accounts and 12 copies of Mr F. W. Furkert's 1924 report re commending the Breakwater. Mr Higgins commented that the Loans Board seemed to be considerine the matter very carefully.