NAVAL RATINGS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23215, 31 May 1945, Page 3

NAVAL RATINGS

Accommodation At Hotels (N.Z.P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 30. A statement that it was impracticable to allow a naval officer to give evidence before the Royal Commission on Licensing was the subject of comment at a sitting of the commission to-day. The matter arose when Mr H. F. O’Leary, K.C., representing the National Council of the Licensed Trade, referred to the evidence given last week by Superintendent Sweeney regarding the accommodation of naval ratings at three Auckland hotels. Mr O’Leary said he wished to call evidence which would put a different complexion on the matter. He also desired to call a naval officer. He had received from the officer referred to a copy of a letter which he (counsel) understood had been addressed to the Commission as the naval authorities had held it impracticable to allow the officer to give evidence. The chairman, Mr Justice Smith, said it was news to him that a naval officer could not be called to give evidence before the Commission. “I should not have thought it privileged.” he commented. ‘You could obtain a statement and put it in, and if counsel want to cross-examine they can raise the matter.”