Mr Brooks declines post as mediator

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32708, 10 September 1971, Page 3

Mr Brooks declines post as mediator

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, September 9. Mr Brian Brooks, the senior lecturer in industrial law at Auckland University and industrial relations officer for the Alex Harvey group, today broke his silence on the controversy surrounding his nomination as chief industrial mediator of the proposed mediation service.

“I hope to retain the confidence, respect, and trust of employers and unions by refusing to lend my name any further as a political football within Government circles,” he said. He would not be the chief industrial mediator even if his application was accepted, he said. “There is unanimity on the urgent need for a mediator in every sector of the community except the Government,” Mr Brooks said. “The union movement, employers’ groups, academic commenta- _ tors, , and editorial writers agree on this. “But within the Government a small faction has launched an unprovoked and unwarranted attack on the selection committee, the position of mediator, and on me,” he said. “Because of this irresponsibility by a small section of the Government, it would be impossible for me to accept

the mediatorship, even if it were offered to me. It is clear from recent events that I would lack the confidence, respect, and trust of a certain section of the Government.” Mr Brooks said he was flattered, reportedly, to be the unanimous choice of the selection committee, but "disgusted” at the office being cheapened for political pur--was not interested in the job while political wrangling cheapened it. “But that doesn’t mean that in the future I wouldn’t be interested,” he said. “I would be delighted to be reconsidered if the whole process of selection is dignified and nonpolitical, as befits appointment to a semi-judicial office.” Mr Brooks said he was angry at the treatment of the appointment—“l am angry on principle, not personally,” he said. He applied for the post by invitation of the selection committee in May. To date, he has not been officially informed that his application was unanimously recommended to the Government. “And if the Government rejected me in June, I have not been informed,” he said. Instead, for more than four

months his name had been subject to rumour, gossip, and speculation, he skid. “During this entire time, I made no comment except to deny that I am a ‘Red’ and to express my dismay that the high office of industrial mediator had become a political football. "I am dismayed that political wrangling has taken precedence over the crying need to come to grips with industrial relations problems.” Mr Brooks said his job as industrial relations officer for the Alex Harvey Group is challenging and rewarding. “I now wish to get on with

the job of restoring the industrial relations which are so badly .damaged by the type of petty argument which I have been exposed to in recent days,” he - said. Mr Brooks, who praised the tolerance of his employers during the controversy, said that when he was invited to apply for the post of mediator he told his employer of his application.