XN000022-1974-01-18 — Page 3

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Friday, January 18, 1974

A draft bill to be gazetted on Tuesday (January 22) makes it clear

that although financed by public funds, the Commission will be an independent

body responsible directly to the Governor.

It will be granted powers to enter government premises, question

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any public servant and search any records or other documents.

Aside from checking for actual instances of corruption, the Commission

will examine the practices and procedures of government departments and

various public bodies with the object of eliminating opportunities for corruption.

It will also offer advice to any government or public official, private

individual or organisation, on ways and means of dealing with the problem.

"Community relations and education will be specified in the draft

bill as an important part of the Commission's work," said Mr. Cater.

'The task here is to enlist and foster public support in combatting

corruption.

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"We have a strong foundation, even before we begin. The tide of public

opinion is clearly on the turn. It has been made abundantly clear, in the views

publicly expressed at all levels, and especially among the younger generation,

that this society is no longer prepared to put up with corruption as a necessary

and unavoidable feature of life.

"The time has now come to harness those sentiments. As the Governor

has said, what we must achieve is nothing short of a quiet revclution in our

society.

'

"This revolution will take time. It would be unwise, and rather

foolhardy, to expect dramatic immediate results. Nevertheless, I have no

doubt that we

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the community will win.

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