; SAFETY OF SHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 January 1941, Page 5

; SAFETY OF SHIPS

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY SET UP POWER TO HOLD SITTINGS IN CAMERA. LIMITED INDEMNITY FOR WITNESSES. 'By Telegraph—Press Association. • WELLINGTON, This Day, The personnel of the Coinmission of Inquiry to investigate die alleged leakage of information regarding shipping movements was announced yesterday by the Prime .Minister. Mr. Eraser. It is as follows: —

The Hon. Mr. Justice Callan. Mr. T. F. Anderson, secretary of

the Seamen's Union, Auckland. Captain F. A. Macindoe, secretary of the Merchant Service Guild of New Zealand. Wellington.

The Hon. William Perry, M.L.C., Wellington. Captain E. Rotheram. R.N., who recently arrived in New Zealand to take over command of H.M.S. Philomel.

The commission is being asked to inquire into and report on the following matters: —

(a» The circumstances surrounding the loss of the steamship Holmwood, the motor-vessel Rangitane. the motorvessel Vinni, and the steamship Komata.

(b) The question whether there have been any leakages either directly or indirectly from New Zealand of information relating to the movement of ships, and. if so. the facts relating to such leakages. The commission will have the power to decide whether the inquiry is to be held in public or in camera. Authority for the granting of an indemnity io witnesses in respect of evidence given before the commission is provided for in regulations gazetted last evening. The commission is also authorised to hold the inquiry or any part of it in camera if considered desirable in the interests of public safety. The ordinary rule is that a witness can refuse to give evidence that may incriminate him. but the regulations provide that no person shall be excused from being examined, or from answering any question put to him, on ground that his evidence will tend to incriminate him. However, if a witness answers all questions fully and freely and thereby gives evidence tending to incriminate himself, he shall on application receive from the chairman of the commission a certificate in writing freeing him from all criminal prosecutions except for any crime relating to treason and similar offences.

The commission may admit and accept, for such value as it thinks fit, any evidence, whether admissible in a court of law or not. Any incidental question which may arise during the course of the inquiry shall in the event of a difference of opinion be settled by a vote of a majority of the members of the commission, or in the event of an equality of votes, by the vote of the chairman of the commission. The commission may order that the whole or any part of the inquiry be held in camera if it is considered necessary or expedient in the interests of the public safety, the defence of New Zealand, the .efficient prosecution of the war. or the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community. If an order is made that the proceedings be held in camera no report or description of such proceedings shall be published other than that authorised by the commission.