THE ROYAL COMMISSION

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9095, 14 July 1915, Page 9

THE ROYAL COMMISSION

PRELIMINARY SITTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HEARING ■ EVIDENCE. Tho first sitting of the Royal Commission appointed to investigate affairs in connection with the Trentham camp was held yesterday morning at the Accountants’ Chambers, Johnston street. The members present wero Mr Justine Hosking (president) and Mr W. Ferguson, M.I.C.E. (manager of the Wellington Gas Company). Mr J. W. Salmond, Solicitor-General, was in attendance.

Tho president stated that Dr A. A. Martin,' the third member of tho Commission, would not arrive in Wellington until to-day, but it was desirable that Some preliminary arrangements should bo made. It was proposed to insert aU advertisement in the newspapers inviting all able to give information of assistance to the Commission to forward their names to the secretary, and it was hoped that some arrangement would bo made by which the evidence of such persons' could he presented in the most favourable circumstances by having counsel employed on their behalf. The same would apply to anyone who bad a complaint to make. So far as any charges against responsible persons were concerned' the minds of the Commissioners wero a blank, so that the whole of the charges would have to be developed by the evidence brought before the Commission and the information given to it. He asked Dr Salmend if he were prepared to make a statement on behalf of the Government .as to the employment of counsel. .

Mr Salmend explained that the Government had considered the propriety or necessity for th© appearance of counsel before the Commission, if the Commission thought it advisable, and he was prepared to assist Die, Commission, to the best of his ability. It would scarcely be consistent with his duty for him to take up the office of advocate.. and ho could not appear as prosecuting counsel in respect to charges made or their refutation. It was a matter for the Commission- to decide whether independent counsel in addition to himself should t be employed. Should the Commission desire it the Government was prepared to appoint two independent counsel—one to represent persons against whom charges were made, and the other to represent persons formulating any charges. , Tho president said he thought this would bo a most desirable course. It would be ef great assistance to the Commission if counsel were engaged to represent all interests. The Commission quite agreed with the view the Solicitor-General took as* to the part he was to play in. the matter, and tho Commission would gladly welcome all the assistance he could give. Tho Commission would not regard him as an advocate for either side, and advocacy must he left to other counsel, - Mr Salmond; “Would the Commission indicate the witnesses it desires to heat?” ■ The president stated that the Commission desired a list of the names,of tho officers connected with the administration of tho camp, and this Mr Salmond supplied. His Honour remarked that if necessary subpoenas could be, issued for such witnesses as were desired. Mr Salmond said .it was desirable that Lieutenant-Colonel Potter, the camp commandant, should be tho first witness. The president: “It wotild be very useful 'to have him, because he can lay before us the history of the camp; what calls have come to be made on the camp in the course of its history; whether those calls were emergency calls or calls that should, have been foreseen in the ordinary course of things, and, if emergency calls, What steps were taken to meet them.” Air Salmond: “I shall endeavour to obtain the attendance of Colonel Potter for Friday. A subpoena Will not be necessary for officers giving voluntary evidence, and I willrdo my best to supply other necessary .witnesses.” . - The president said that the Commission proposed to advertise in the newspapers the general information ! desired by the Commission, the scope of which on broad lines was—(l) To ascertain what defects, if any. existed in the camp site and its administration in regard to the health of the men; (2) what were the pauses of the sickness and deaths there; and (3) what persons, if any, were responsible for such defects and causes. He asked the press to intimate that any persons who desired to give information should communicate their names to tho secretary of the Commission at the Supreme Courthouse. Wellington, Tho Commission stands adjourned until 10.30 a.m. on Friday.