Watersiders May Be Compelled To Appear Before Commission

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1950, Page 5

Watersiders May Be Compelled To Appear Before Commission

New Bill Gives That Body The Status Of A Supreme Court

PARLIAMENT BLDGS, Last it dear that any contempt of the the Supreme Court as if it were Minister of Labour (Mr. Sullivan' today.

lie was speaking on the introduction of the Waterfront Royal Commission Bill, which defines the powers and status of the commission and provides for the appointment of technical advisers.

The Bill states that the chairman ot the commission, who is Sir Robert Kennedy, a former Judge, will have ihe same powers, privileges and immunities as if he were still a judge of the Supreme Court. Two technical advisers may be appointed to assist tfie commission. One may be selected from a panel of three nominated by the Waterside Workers' Union and one from a panel similarly nominated by the Port Employers' Association. The powers and proceedings of the commission will not be affected 1/ the non-appointment of these advisers. It is also stipulated that th ' Hon. T. Bloodworth shall not be Z. iqualified from being a member of the Leg islative Council by virtue of his services as a member of the Commission.

Mr McLagan (Opp., Riccarton). Does this Bill intend to resolve the difficulty that has arisen in attendance at the commission.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holland): What difficulty? Mr McLagan: I believe the Prime Minister has heard about a small difficulty?

Mr Holland: There is no difficulty as far as I am concerned.

t Night (PA). —“This Bill makes : commission may be punished by contempt of that court,, said the ), in tlie House of Representatives

! Mr McLagan: Does it widen the orIder of reference to include all matters desired by the interested parties? I Mr Holland: Provision is already

1 An Opposition member: What about the finances of shipping companies? I A Government voice: How can we lexamine overseas companies? | Mr Sullivan said the order of referIcnce was wide enough to include discussion on any issue, and for any interests to make the submissions they i desired. He was sorry to have to say that so far the waterside workers had 'decided not to appoint technical adI visers. I “If they were prepared to make (nominations, the Government would igive them every consideration,” he I said. It was for the commission to determine whether the matters raised should be investigated. He was sorry to have to say that, so far, the waterside workers had decided not to nom- : inate technical advisers, but the measure “left the gate open.**

i Mr Semple (Opp., Miramar): If the chairman of the Commission has the I same powers as a Supreme Court • judge will he be able to subpoena people? Mr Sullivan: Yes.

Mr Semple: That means Messrs Barnes and Hill can be compelled to give evidence? Mr Sullivan: Time will answer that. The power is there. The Bill was read a first time.