CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 6, 2 October 1920, Page 8

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

< NOT EOR "ENEMIES OP THE ■ COUNTRY." A. question which ha had asked the Minister of Labour some time ago was raised again in the House yesterday afternoon by- Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon). Immediately after the recent stoppage on the Wellington waterfront arising out of the unloading of a cargo of phosphates. tho Labour member asked the Minister whether it was not a fact that the Crown Law Office had decided that tho employers had been guilty of a lockout. The Minister -then said that the matter was being considered by the Law Office. Mr. Sullivan ' asked yesterday whether the Opinion had heen • recoived. and if so would the Minister give it -to the House. . ' . Sir William Herries 6aid that he- had recoived the document, but thnt'it,was confidential and he did not wish to submit it to the enemies of the country. . A little later. Mr. Sullivnn asked, if he was regarded by the Minister ab ah enemy of tho country. If «o, to what action of his was the Minister referring. If it was not to himself that the reference was directed, continued Mi. Sullivan, for whom was-it intended? He might- mention, he concluded, that ho was a native- of New Zealand and had always been a law-abidinu citizen. Sir William Aerries: "I was not referrins to the lion, member. I have too much respect for him to refer to him in that wjiv. If I have caused him any offence by what I have} said I apologise. The Minister added that there were people in this country, though not m the House, who would bo, very glad of the information contained in the report. All reports of the kind were confidential and should not be let out, even to members of the House.