EXCEPTION TAKEN TO REMARKS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25253, 4 August 1947, Page 8

EXCEPTION TAKEN TO REMARKS

REPLY BY MR N. B. SPENCER

(P.A.) AUCKLAND. August 3. Strong exception to the statement by the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr C. L. Hunter) about his refusal to appoint Mr N." B. Spencer as one of the employers’ assessors in a conciliation matter concerning the Auckland Drivers’ Union’s claims is taken by Mr Spencer. In an interview to-day Mr Spencer said that at no time in the proceedings was there mention of his being a solicitor, and therefore ineligible to be appointed as an assessor. Mr Spencer said he had sat in all conciliation proceedings, except one, since the first award was made. This particular question was raised at a conciliation meeting in Wellington about 20 years ago, when it was decided that he was eligible to sit as a member of the council, but not to appear as an advocate or agent. Many solicitors who w’ere employers in industry sat from time to time on conciliation councils.

After obtaining legal advice the employers’ representatives informed Mr Hunter that unless the appointment was made they would apply to the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus to quash the proceedings, Mr Spencer said. Agreement with Mr Spencer’s views was expressed by the employers’ advocate (Mr W. E. Anderson).