MR. McLAGAN REPLIES TO MR. MULHOLLAND

Chronicle (Levin), 12 March 1947, Page 6

MR. McLAGAN REPLIES TO MR. MULHOLLAND

-Press Association

\By Telegrav'n-

WELLINGTON, March 11. "Absolutely untrue, ' ' commented the Minister of Labour, Hon. A. McLagan, today on the .statement made recentlj by Mr, W. W. Mulholland to the Domin ion Couneil of Eed'erated Farmers with ref erence to the waterfront . dispute. The Minister was refer'ring specitically to Mr. Mulholland 's statement that ' ' one of the sinister incidents was tliai the judicial head of the Commission (Mr. Justice Ongley) was instructed on the decision he should give. Fortun atelv he resigned rather than do that. ' ' Mr. McLagan said the late chairmanof the Waterfront Commission was nevjer instructed as to the decision to be given in the waterfront dispute. After the parties failed to reach agreement, the chairman expressed the,desire to be relieved of all fiirther responsibility in connection with the Commission The dispute was then taken up by the Government and a settlement eventual ly reach'ed. ' 1 As it was known by the Govern ment prior to that agreement being made, that the chairman of •• the Com mission was resigning, it would have been ludierous for tlie Government to have asked him to give any decision whatsoever in connection with the dispute. There is not the slightest reason for any fair-minded person to . believe that the late chairman was ever asked to announce the agreement as his decision," Mr. McLagan said. Mr. Mulholland 's remarks about the Wanganella dispute were equally irresponsible. No pistol had been put at the Government 's head.