Auckland man to head Industrial Commission

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33450, 4 February 1974, Page 3

Auckland man to head Industrial Commission

fAete Zealand Press .Association) AUCKLAND, February 3. An Auckland man, Mr G. O. Whatnall. will be chairman of the Industrial Commission, set up under the Industrial Relations Act.

The Minister of Labour (Mr Watt) said the act specified that three members with appropriate qualifications [and experience, but not representing any sectional interest, should be appointed by the Minister after consultation Iwith the national employers’ and workers’ organisations. I The three will be Mr I Whatnall. Mr A. J. McDonald. of Paraparaumu, and Mr R. T. Goddard, of Wellington. The other two members of: the commission, who will! represent the employers and the workers, are the present! members of the Arbitration Court, Mr W. N. Hewitt, of

Auckland, and Mr W. C. McDonnell, of Wellington. Mr Watt said the Indus, trial Relations Act set up three bodies. The Industrial Council would advise the Government on policy on industrial matters. The Industrial Court, which in some respects replaced the Arbitration Court, would be the ultimate court of appeal, and would deal with disputes of rights such as personal grievances, demarcation, and the interpretation of awards and agreements. The Industrial Commission would take over the arbitral role of the present Arbitration Court, said Mr Watt. It would be required to deal with the settlement of disputes and the making of: awards, as well as the registration of awards and agreements. Mr Watt said the role of the Industrial Commission would be crucial to good industrial relations. He was confident that if the parties used the commission in the way envisaged in the legislation-, New Zealand could well see

greater harmony in industryin the future. The commission would be 1 the key instrument under the new legislation, and he ; was pleased to appoint men ' of the calibre and experience of those chosen. Mr Whatnall had a background of long experience in ; industrial relations, he was a member of the Wages Tribunal set up by the Government last year. Mr Whatnall was appointed senior conciliation commissioner for the Labour Department by the previous Government in 1969. Before that he was industrial relations manager for a major company. Mr McDonald, formerly secretary of the Labour

. Party, has served on the I National Patriotic Fund and Canteen Funds Boards, the National Savings Committee, and the Representation Commission. Mr Goddard was formerly industrial superintendent in the head office of-the Union Steam Ship Company. He is now an arbitrator for the container terminals at Wellington and Port Chalmers.