Comment Before Hearing “Unwise”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30808, 21 July 1965, Page 3

Comment Before Hearing “Unwise”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 20.

It was unwise for any person to comment in public on any matter before the Court, Judge A. P. Blair said today in the Arbitration Court. He said there had been newspaper articles published on a dispute on the system of working hours for firemen before the hearing started.

Mr G. A. Turner, representing the Urban Fire Authorities Industrial Union of Employers, said that while he was not claiming the paper reports were contempt of Court, he felt it was very bad

practice for a witness to go to the press before appearing in court. Judge Blair said If there was an offence resulting from this, it was up to Mr Turner to seek legal advice and take appropriate action. “In an appropriate case, the Court would take the initiative and refer it to the Crown Law Office,” he said. Mr Turner said he was not considering taking action. Mr B. McClelland, representing the Federation of Fire Brigades Employees’ Industrial Association of Workers, said he had talked about the reports with the witness responsible. He was an Australian and not completely familiar with procedure. “There was no sinister purpose,” said Mr McClelland.