NEW LYNN INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1860, 20 September 1913, Page 5

NEW LYNN INQUIRY.

DISPUTE ABOUT EVIDENCE.

A MEMBER OVERRULED.

A lively incident occurred yesterday at the close of tho New Lynn accident inquiry before tho Railways Committee of the Houso of Representatives. The chairman (Mr. D. Buick) asked if there was any more evidence to be adducod, whereupon Mr. J. S. Dickson, member for Parnell, said that he wanted evidence from the Department as to why tho tablet-porter, Mortimer, had been dismissed. Mr. W. A. Veitch CWanganui) contended that it was for the committee itself to decide why the porter, and also tho engine-driver (Coritch), had been- dismissed. Tho chairman: The point is, have we had all tho evidenoe? Mr. It. W. M'Viliy (Chief Clerk of the Railways Department): The evideuoe is closed. Mr. Dickson: I have asked that a witnosß bo produced to tell us why the porter was dismissed. The whole thing rests on whether he was or was not dismissed for a breach of the regulations. The Department guaranteed to produce a witness to give that evidence. Mr. G. R. Sylccs (Masterton): I think we should deliberate irrespective of Departmental evidence on this point. The chairman (to Mr. Dickson): Who do you want to call P Mr. Dickson: I want a witness. I will call on the General Manager to produce the papers I want. . Mr. M'Viliy: I can give the Departmental reasons for dismissing the men, but Lsuggest it would bo wrong for mo now to give them to the committee which is an .independent tribunal. If I give the reasons why Mortimer and Coritch were dismissed I shall have to givo also the Departmental view of the circumstances and to do so might influence the committee's deliberations. If tho committee desires it, however, I am ready to go into the box.

Mr. M. J. Mack, general secretary of the A.S.R.S., pointed out that no railway man can bo dismissed without the warrant of the Minister. Since tho Minister in question was a member of the committee could not the information sought by Mr. Dickson, come from him? Mr. M'Yilly, in reply to a question, said that both the men had appealed against their dismissals. Mr. Veitch: It would not be fair to those men I contend that the ment should give this committeo its reasons for dismissing them. We ought not to allow ourselves to be biased in that way. It is for us to decide how they should have been dealt with. Mr. Dickson (heatedly): We are here to take evideuco. If the Dopartment refuses to produco tho evideuce I am asking for. I can only say that the Department nas something to hide. I will thresh it out on. the floor of tho House. We ought to have the Department's reasons beforo arriving at our decision. I want tho papers of dismissal produced and the Minister promised he would havo them produced. Mr. Veitch: Our duty is to find out tho cause of tho accident and apportion the blame to the individuals we consider blameworthy. The chairman:. Wo have heard all the evidence the Department is able to give. I would rather not .hear this evidence Mr. Dickson seeks. I think Mr. Dickson would be wiso to withdraw his request. Mr. Dickson (with emphasis): No. I won't withdraw it. I want to call tho tablot porter. The chairman: Oh, we have had all that. This inquiry is now closed. A point was raised by Mr. S. Kennedy, secretary of the Engine-drivors' Union, who said ho had had no opportunity of calling witnesses he wanted to. . . Tho chairman: It is your own fault. I told you you could call any witnesses you wanted to. We shall be here about 20 years at this rate. Finally the committee adjourned sine die, Mr. Dickson intimating that he intended to carry tho matter further.