FINANCE INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 202, 27 August 1931, Page 9

FINANCE INQUIRY.

LONGER THAN EXPECTED

EVIDENCE ALL NEXT WEEK.

SECRETARIAT APPOINTED

PROFESSOR BELSHAW A MEMBER.

(By Telegrapn.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The Inter-party Committee is spending to-day, and will spend to-morrow, hearing the evidence of representatives of the stock and station agents and of the Sheepowners' Federation, with particular reference to the effect of the depression on the primary producer and its reactions on trade and industry generally, and on public and local body finances. The official delegates of the stock and station agents are Sir Alexander Roberts, Mr.W. S. Bennett, Mr. W. D. Hunt, and Mr. R. A. Abraham.

Yesterday's witnesses before the committee were Dr. G. Craig, Comptroller of Customs, Mr. E. O. Hales, head of the State Advances Office, and Mr. J. W. Clinkard, head of the Department of Industries and Commerce. They were able to give important information regarding national finance and trading conditions r and it is probable that further Departmental witnesses will be called. ' It is proposed to take banking evidence next Mondav.

The Prime Minister, when asked how long the inquiry was likely to continue, replied that the whole of next week would be required for evidence.

The Secretariat. ' There was an important development at the Committee's investigation yesterday, showing the lines en which the Cbmmittee intends to proceed. According toii*S- previous decision, representative witnesses were invited to submit statemejH&Efeta the Committee and to submit theritserves to examination, the selection being made can. iLe lines yhacfa. Trail giro

the Parliamentarians a complete knowledge of the methods adopted by responsible State officers in preparing estimates of expenditure, and the system followed in the preparation of estimates of important revenue items, such as Customs and death duties, and land and income taxes. Other witnesses will present first-hand information, showing the' precarious position of many sections of the primary producers.

It was decided yesterday to go a step further. The Committee appointed ,an expert secretariat, comprising Dr. H. Belshaw, professor of Economics at the Auckland University College, Mr. Malcolm Fraser, Government Statistician, Mr. B. C. Ashwin, JLCom., a Treasury official, with accountancy and economic qualifications, and Dr. R. M. Campbell, formerly of the Prime Minister's Department, who recently returned from a long visit to England and America, where he increased his knowledge of Imperial and economic affairs.

The Prime Minister explained to the "Star" correspondent that the secretariat will assist the Committee by suggesting and carrying out lines of inquiry of value, in addition to the direct- evidence which the committee intends to call. It will also survey all evidence and make summaries for the use, of members, in addition to the verbatim report that is being taken hy Hansard reporters of all the Committee's proceedings. Mr. P. C Pearce, an inspector in the Public Service Commissioner's office, has been appointed secretary pf the Committee.

Should Parliament Adjourn? i It is probable that a decision will be made to-day as to the sitting hours the House will adopt for next week. It is | anticipated that the proposal to adjourn Parliament will be again raised by Reform members, but Labour members will not budge from their previous attitude of hostility towards any such proposal. They predict that once Parliament adjourns everything on the legislative stocks witl go by the board, and that the only questions likely to be considered on the resumption will be those associated with the decisions of the "Inter-party Committee. Important measures, to which they point as being worthy of early dispatch by the House include the Licensing Amendment, Trading Coupons, Transport Licensing, and Auckland Harbour Bridge Bills, in addition to other local and private members' measures, which, it is contended, are entitled to' the fullest, consideration.