BRISBANE LINE

Grey River Argus, 8 July 1943, Page 5

BRISBANE LINE

Inquiry Cut Short WARD’S COUNSEL SUCCESSFUL. (Rec. 11.35) MELBOURNE, July 7. The proceedings ended abruptly today at the inquiry into the allegation of Hon. Mr. Ward that he had been informed that a document relative to the Brisbane Line strategy, was missing from the Cabinet file- after the last Government left office. The end came when the Royal Com-, missioner announced his decision on the parliamentary privilege question, which was raised by Mr. J. V. Barry, K.C., counsel for Mr. W'ard. The Commissioner found that the Bill oi Rights, which was enacted by the British Parliament in 1689, during the reign of William and Mary, precluded the Commission from holding an inquiry into missing documents and the allegations made by Mr. Ward in Parliament. , The Commissioner said that had the Rov."l Commission been appointed by Parliament, instead of by the Executive then Parliament would, thereby, have waived its privileges, and an inquiry could have proceeded. Although Mr. Ward was protected by privilege, the Commissioner said, he believed he had power to inquire into the custodianship of the official tile, evidence concerning which was taken the previous day, in camera. His findings on this noint would be forwarded to the Governor-General.