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9. The question for Her Majesty's Government to consider in this matter is, whether or not the meetings of the Finance Committee shall in future be held with open doors, and it is hardly necessary for me to state that I shall carry out, with- out any hesitation, any instructions that I may receive on this subject. The Chief Justice observed in his speech that it was competent to the Legislative Council at any time to direct the withdrawal of strangers. This has, I am informed, never been done except when the Annual Jury List is settled, which is always done with closed doors. Should it be considered desirable to admit the public in future to the meetings of the Finance Committee, this power might also be reserved for the Committee. The question is really whether reporters are to be admitted, as the public hardly ever attend meetings of Council, but are content to read the report of proceedings in the next day's newspaper.
I have, &c.,
(Signed),
W. H. MARSH.
The Right Honourable
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
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