MOUNTPARK TRIBUNAL HEARS JUDGE

Grey River Argus, 7 August 1948, Page 3

MOUNTPARK TRIBUNAL HEARS JUDGE

AUCKLAND, Aug. 6. When the cross-examination of the chairman of the Waterfront Industry Commission, Judge Dalglish, was continued by Mr H. Barnes, lor the union, before the' Mountpark tribunal to-day, witness denied that the commission undertook to call a conference on the weight of the hatches about March 22. Such a conference would not have prevented the Mountpark and the Broompark, disputes, because the time would have been too short. Further questioned, witness said that such a conference might have prevented the disputes. He stated that the Minister of Labour, Mr McLagan, was not approached before the preference declaration of the Mountpark. That decision was not a lock-out because the commission was not an' employer and because there had been a reaction to strike on the part of the union. Witness denied having asked Mr Barnes to withdraw the proceedings against the Union Company. Should Judge be Questioned ? WELLINGTON', lAug. 6. At question time in the House of Representatives to-day, ’Mr M. H. Oram (Nat., Manawatu) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, whether he would lake steps to see that oui’ system of justice is not brought into disrepute by the Government’s habit of appointing persons with the appellation of judge who are liable to be required to give evidence before tribunals concerning their actions or decisions and. to be forced to submit to cross-examination by a Communist, near-Communist or fellow-traveller advocates. The Minister of Education, the Hon. T. H. McCombs: Or other lawyers. Mr Oram, in a note to his question, said it was reported in this morning’s press that Judge Dalglish gave evidence foi’ four hours before the Mountpark tribunal and was subjected to cross-examination by a Mr H. Barnes.