Consultation Over Procedure

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29798, 14 April 1962, Page 8

Consultation Over Procedure

Newspaper critcism of his statement on procedure for the Committee of Inquiry into the Wheatgrowing. Flourmilling and Breadbaking Industries was unfortunate, said the chairman of the committee (Mr J. H Macdonald) at yesterday’s sitting in Christchurch. Mr Macdonald said that he was prepared to take criticism and also that he was prepared to amend procedure if that were in the interests of the inquiry. After an adjournment during which counsel consulted with the committee, a statement was issued saying that the chairman assured counsel all evidence would be taken in public, except that a party would have the right to ask for certain information to be kept confidential. Counsel would have the fullest right to put questions to witnesses called by other parties. A leading article in "The Press” on April 7 said that the wide mandate in the committee's order of reference did not “justify procedural rulings that may cast doubt on the sufficiency of the investigation or the accuracy of its findings.” The article said that a public inquiry should not be conducted by means of confidential memoranda and asked why there should be such caution about requiring the

Wheat Committee to divulge information.

The statement, issued by the committee, said: "The hearing of the Committee of Inquiry opened at 10 o'clock this morning and was later adjourned until 2.15 to enable the members of the committee to confer with counsel representing interested parties and to define matters of procedure “Following the conference, the chairman reported that a free, full and fair exchange of views had taken place between himself and members of his committee and some 10 counsel present.

“Tp dispel any wrong impressions that might have been gained from any source, it was agreed that the opening statement the chairman made on April 6 mav have been read too literally and undue emphasis given to matters which had since been explained There seemed to be confusion on what might be more properly termed confidential information rather than secret information.

"The chairman assured the counsel that all evidence and submissions would be made in public, subject only to the right of a party to ask that his balance-sheet and similar information be kept confidential

“As the chairman had originally stated, he desired the procedure to be flexibly and the fullest rights to be

given to counsel representing interested parties to develop their submissions and to put questions to witnesses called by other counsel or by other parties. “After full discussion, counsel expressed themselves satisfied with the method of procedure to be adopted in forthcoming hearings, and the fullest co-operation was promised the committee in its deliberations,” the statement said. “Personal’’ Statement As the result of the leading articles in the newspapers, he wished to make a statement, said Mr Macdonald at the opening of the sitting “It is personal, from myself,” he said. “The leaders may have been somewhat misleading to the general public and the editorials of the two newspapers have taken some wrong impressions from my opening statement.

“Criticism is all very well and I will take it. And the committee will take it,” he said. But criticism of procedure had unfortunately been made without some able advice being taken first. Reporters had asked him for copies of evidence, said the chairman. “I don’t want anything read into those reports that is not in them. “I will take all the criticism that is given to me. But I shall give back as good as I am given and throw in .some interest if need be. My

sole object is to do something in the interests of the wheat industry.”

The chairman said that he wished to explain why ne had accepted his position. “During my lifetime there were two great wars. For the first, I was too young; and for the second, I was too old.” When offered the opportunity to do something in the interests of bis country he had taken it, said Mr Macdonald He was a Scot and the Scots had withstood much, said the chairman. He was prepared to take criticism. “Orderly Procedure”

“With the full co-operation of counsel and persons interested in the various industries, we will get somewhere. But we must do it in an orderly procedure.” The chairman said that he was prepared to amend the procedure for the inquiry and said that when some evidence had been taken, the committee would like a full, free and frank discussion with counsel in the best interests of all concerned.

After submissions had been made by the Timaru Harbour Board, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Wheat Committee. the inquiry adjourned to May 7 when it is hoped that the Flourmillers’ Federation will make submissions. United Wheatgrowers (New Zealand). LtcL, will also present evidence then.