BREEZE IN COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20656, 30 August 1930, Page 14

BREEZE IN COURT.

ALLEGED OFFENSIVE REMARK WITNESS REMINDED OF OATH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —I'RF.SS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Friday. Questions put to a witness in the Arbitration Court by Mr. H. L. Monteith, representative of the employees, led to a rather strained atmosphere yesterday. Mr. Monteith was engaged in asking a witness for an expression of opinion when, from the other side of the Bench, be was told by Mr. Cecil Prime, employers' representative, tlinfc his questioning \\n.s offensive. This Mr. Monteith denied. "It is a remarkable position," he said, • F'and I should like to say so publicly, when in this Court we have listened to an economic treatise from a witness, and the employers wish to prevent me from asking some practical questions on tho tame subject." Mr. Justico Frazer intervened. The witness had been giving the retail drapers' point of view on the wages question. Mr. W. Croskery, who was appearjng for the employees, asked the witness whether 10s a week was an equitable wage for a girl of 15. Witness replied that it seemed reasonable to him, having legald to the girl's knowledge. "Do you seriously suggest that you consider 10s a week sufficient to keep a girl of 15?" asked Mr. Monteith. Further questions and further replies brought the witness to a state where lie seemed to assent to the proposition that 10s a week would supply a girl with food and clothing. "Well," said Mr. Monteith, "I am a married man with nine children. I am much older and more experienced than you, and yet you suggest that a girl of 15 can be* kept on 10s a. week. It docs not matter whether she pays it or her • parents pay it. I am not joking. It is a perfectly serious question. Remembering you are on oath, do you really want ine 'to understand that you believe that a child can be kept for 10s a week? You are on oath, you know." "Do not put the question offensively," ■aid Mr. Prime. "I am not being offensive," said Mr. [Monteith, "and I will not have you say I am." "It was offensive," said Mr. Prime. "It was not offensive," replied Mr. Monteith. "I never want to be offensive to a witness. I just want to make suro that he realises that he is on oath." "He knows that," said Mr. Prime. Two protests wore made by Mr. T. 0. Bishop against questioning when Mr. Monteith put a subsequent question. Mr. Bishop said ho would, with great respect, advise the witness not to answer the question just put, or any of a similar nature. Mr. Justice Frazer calmed the troubled waters by taking the question and

answer as originally given by tho witness in examination.