TRENTHAM INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2519, 14 July 1915, Page 4

TRENTHAM INQUIRY

; COMMISSION MEETS . CAMP COMMANDANT TO BE FIRST WITNESS

The first sitting of the Trentliam Oomniission, ivhich is-to inquire into the ; epidemic at Trcnthani Camp, was' to have been held yesterday, but Dr.- A. A. Martin, of I'almerston North, a ■ member of tho Commission,-was not able to attend, and an informal sitting only was held, Mr.' Justice Hosking presided, and' the other member, Mr. W. Fer-, guson, was also present'. ' ; ' Tho President explained that -it ' was proposed to issue a'general advertisement inviting all persons who were able to ■ give information that would assist the Commission to give in their names .to the sec-rotary, and it was-hoped that some- arrangement would bo made by which' the evidence- of such -persons could bo presented in,the most favourable circumstances, by having counsel employed on their behalf. The same observation would apply to anyone who had a complaint to make, although unable' -to giv6_ evidence, if he was satisfied that evidence was forthcoming .to establish the complaint. So far as any charges or defects against any persons were concerned, the minds of the Commission were blank. They had nothing before them in tho shape of any distinct charge, so that the whole of the charges would have to ba developed by the evideuco, that was-brought before them.

' The Solicitor-General was present, continued the President, and might be able to make a statement on behalf of tho Government .as •to whether they had arranged for the employment of counsel. .and whether, he. might act as a sort of Judge-advocate, to bring out the full forco of all that was alleged. . Tho Solicitor-General said that if the Commission thought counsel were desirable. he was willing to assist to the best of his ability, but. it would, scarcely bo'consistent with his duty to take up the _ position of advocate either for of against any person; he could not appear as prosecuting counsel in respect of any charges or accusations, made against officers or any other persons, nor could ho appear to repudiate sucli charges or accusations. Ho _ thought that it was a matter for consideration as to whether or not independent counsel should not be employed to represent those interests. " If tho Commission was of that 'opinion he was. authorised to state that the Government was prepared to engage - such counsel—one to repre-, sent, - the . officers or , other persons against whom charges or accusations wero-inade, and .-the-.other, to represent complainants or persons making charges or bringing-them; to the notice of tho Commission. . ' '

.■ The 'President: We think that' would b©<a most desirable course to take. It jvill be of great assistance to the Commission'if independent counsel are engaged. : The Commission' quite agree with the. view taken-'by the SolicitorGeiieral as to the. part he should play in the matter. '. They: would welcomo any assistance-lie could give, biii advocacy'ill the matter must bo left to the independent,_ counsel: retained. Of course, it will bo open' to, anyone who is made the subject-of a. charge to encage his own counsel,-'apart altogether from tlie counsel engaged to represent the interests of the officers generally. „Wo muse ask. you Jfco' aep' that counsel are retained in time for the meeting of the Commission; on Friday - and'if possible'. let 'tho- secretary havo notice of it, so .that .fho iiames may bo published. . . ' . . ' .

.i.--Tho ;So]icitor-.Genera-I:j Would rou indicato the 'witnessesito be' ca-llod on •Friday? • ■ ug with'the 'liamesiof _ those .-.conirected with, the administration of ;tta i •j; The 'Solicitor-General said '; that' he could"-supply' the-list, and suggested that' tlio Camp Commandant-, Lieuten-ant-Colonel Potter, might bo the most appropriate first witness. : The President agreed that it would bo- very - useful -to have his cvidenco first,' becauso ho could lay before them the history of- the'camp, and what' calls had been made upon! the camp. He could also say whether those calls wero emergency ones, or calls that should have been foreseen in the ordinary course of things, 'and if-they -vvero emergency calls what steps were taken to meet them.. If he was prepared to give evidence on those lines they would then, havo a plan of the' whole matter. The Solicitor-General: I. will' endeavour, -Hjsd, to obtain'the presence of Lieutenant-Colonel Potter. The President then, stated that the Commission generally proposed to inquire into the following matters :— . • To ascertain what defects, if arty, existed in the camp site, and in its administration, in regard to thi health of "the men?. . J What .were the causes of the;recent sickness and deaths there? | What persons, if any, were responsible for such defects and causes? Ho thought that covered the general scopo of the Commission, and desired that if any persons had any information to give, they should give 'their names and addresses to .the seoretarjy either verbally or in writing, at the Supremo Court, Wellington. The Commission then adjourned till .10130 a.m. on Friday, when it will-meet in tlio Accountants' Chambers.

A QUESTION IN THE HtfUSE. ! LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR PARENTS. ! In the House of Representatives in the afternoon, Sir Joseph. AVard asked the Prime Minister wbotlier parents or relatives might have legal representation at the Commission? Ho stated he had'had a uumber/of communications from 1 people asking him to onablo them to givo evidence, but that was not his work. In hie opinion, counsel should be authorised to be employed on behalf of those who wanted to 'givo, or call, evidence. There might be dissatisfaction after' the inquiry -unless that opportunity was given. The Prime Minister (the. Right Hon. W. F. Massey), in reply, said that ho had promised that arrangements would bo made for relatives and friends of the people concerned to be represented/ by a legal representative, and that promise would bo kept. As a, matter of fact, tlie.v were in communication with one of tho ablest lawyers in New Zealand on tho matter, but had not received a dofinito reply. Ho could only - repeat that arrangements would bo made. In reply to Mr. Myers, Mr. Massey said that'the Commission would bo .open to tho Press.