LIQUOR TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 22, 26 July 1945, Page 9

LIQUOR TRADE

ROYAL COMMISSION

"PARTISAN" MEMBERS

In the appointment of the Royal Commission on Licensing the British method lias been followed, said the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, when referring to criticism that members who were partisan were selected for the* Commission. The discussion arose during: consideration in Committee of the clause in the Finance Bill providing1 that members of the Legislature shall not be disqualified by receipt of remuneration as members of the Royal Commission on Licensing.

-■ MV. Fraser said it was common, par- ! ticularly in the United Kingdom, for members of Parliament to be appointed tosit;on Commissions, and there was no reason, why persons with special knowledge should not be appointed. I His view was that the Commission ; should be as widely representative as possible, although that was a point of view that could reasonably be differed from. He consulted the various interests, and as far as the workers were concerned they wanted the Hon. F. G. Young, M.L.C., as their representative. He accordingly, had suggested Mr. Young's appointment and took full responsibility for that. The clause applied purely to Mr. Young's appointment, and did not provide for any more members of the Commission. Whether the policy of having the various interests represented would work out remained to be seen, i ■ Mr. W. J. Poison (National, Stratford) said the Commission should not be concerned with particular interests, but with the best interests of New Zealand, and the provision of the best possible conditions for the new licensing trade set-up. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) expressed the view that when a Commission was appointed, the fact that a person had some particular interest did not qualify him for selection. In such matters they ought to be very careful to get the'best possible sifting of evidence. The public should have the widest possible'chance to give evidence. He felt the discussion would do some good in the setting up of Commissions in th 6 future.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE,

Mr. F. Langslone (Government, Waimarino) said it was important to have persons on a Commission knowing something of the subject. He did not think anyone in New Zealand had a greater knowledge of the workings of hotels than Mr. Young. Mr. W. A. Bodkin (National, Central Otago) suggested that if it was desirable to carry the clause, it should be made general. He did not see why a member of Parliament should be debarred from silting on any Commission, but a great deal of exception could be taken to special appointments. He did not think partisans were suitable for appointment because the important thing about the judgment of a Commission was that It should be fair and impartial. He could never see the general secretary of the National Council of the Licensed Trade (Mr, P T. Coyle) or Mr. Young (general secretary of the New Zealand Hotel. and Restaurant Employees' Union) agreeing with the rio-licence representatives. There would be a tug-of-war i rom the start, and the' Judge would have to hold the verdict. The Prime Minister said Mr. Bod-, km s suggestion would be considered.; His own view was that the important thing was to keep a* fair balance and, to have people with experience on] such, a Commission.

, Mr. Bodkin: Those men 'would be very valuable witnesses.

"In Britain the whole lot were represented arid brought down an excellent report," remarked ' the Prime Minister at the close of the discussion. "I am hoping our report will be excellent. If it is a good report, the appointments will be .justified, but if not, then I will admit it may not have been the. best way to have done the thing."