A CEMENT IMPROPRIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 280, 24 November 1921, Page 4

A CEMENT IMPROPRIETY.

Someone in Government circles has been guilty of a serious act" of impropriety in connection with the Cement Commission. We have received a copy of a pamphlet headed "Department of Industries and Commerce, Wellington,' , and entitled "Commission of Inquiry Into Allegations re Cement made by Mr. K. Masters, M.P. Statement by Mr. W. G. McDonald, Chairman, Board of Trade. Made before the Commissioner, the Hon. W. A. Sim, Acting Chief Justice, on 3rd Xovember. 1921." The pamphlet, which contains thirteen pages of Mr. McDonald's evidence ami accompan3'ing statistics, is printed by the Government Printer, and paid for by the taxpayer. It is highly improper that a portion of the evidence of one witness—for the cross-examination ie omitted —in an inquiry of this nature should be issued by the Government before the report of the Commission is available. The Govern-

ment cannot complain if people su»pccc> that this is an attempt to create prejudice against critics of the cement companies and the Board of Trade. Wo are glad to see that the Leader of the Opposition has drawn attention to this sinister abuse of the Government Printing Office at the public expense.