THE MOUNTPARK TRIBUNAL

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25566, 6 August 1948, Page 5

THE MOUNTPARK TRIBUNAL

Evidence Given By Judge Dalglish PREFERENCE SHIP DECISION (P.A.) AUCKLAND, August 5. The chairman of the Waterfront Industry Commission (Judge Dalglish) gave evidence for four hours before the Mountpark tribunal to-day. He began immediately after Mr G. G. G. Watson, senior counsel-for the commission, had completed his address, and he was still being cross-examined by Mr H. Barnes, representing the Waterside Workers’ Union, when the hearing was adjourned. The inquiry will enter its tenth day to-morroW. Between 200,000 and 250,000 words of evidence and submissions have already been recorded. Another six witnesses are expected to be called for the commission before Mr Barnes makes his final address and possibly calls more witnesses Developments in the dispute since February 19 were traced by Judge Dalglish. He described decisions made by the commission, outlined reports approving the Mountpark hatches that were obtained from officers of the Marine Department and said he had made no request for the union to withdraw Court proceedings when it was proposed to contest the dismissal of the men who refused to work the ship, nor had he given any promise to provide the men with hooks, as Mr Barnes had claimed. Discussion with Minister Judge Dalglish said that on June 23 all members of the commission felt that something must be done. He started drafting a memorandum for the Minister of Labour (Mr A. McLagan), but in the evening he had an opportunity of discussing the matter with the Minister and expressing to him the view that the Mountpark should be made a preference ship. He also wished to learn, in view of negotiations with the Government, whether the Government objected to this action being taken. The Minister said he would have to. discuss the matter with other members of the Government the next day. Judge Dalglish continued the preparation of the memorandum, outlining the views he had expressed to the Minister. It was discussed with other members of the commission and was awaiting his signature in its final form when he was informed that the Government had no objection to the action which he had informed the Minister should be taken. He then told other members of the commission that it was now unnecessary to send the memorandum, as the Government had approved making the Mountpark a preference ship. Mr R. J. O’Donnell, union representative on the commission, immediately interpreted this as meaning that the Government had made a decision. ♦ At this stage the tribunal adjourned. Mr Watson Ends Address Completing his address to the tribunal this morning. Mr Watson said that when it was known that the union would not accept a tribunal the commission was faced with a paralysis of the port of Auckland again. On June 23 Judge Dalglish saw the Minister of Labour and told him that the commission’s decision on May 24 was that the Mountpark would have to be declared a preference vessel. On June’ 24 the Mountpark was declared a preference ship, action having been delayed because it was thought that a tribunal would be set up. “Mr Barnes has alleged that the commission was a rubber stamp obeying the dictates of the Government,” Mr Watson said. “I repudiate that suggestion, and the evidence will bear me out.”