MARATHON INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 180, 1 August 1932, Page 2

MARATHON INQUIRY.

BRITISH SETTLERS IN AUSTRALIA. FIVE HUNDRED WITNESSES. After having lived like nomads for nearly.lß months, and travelled thousands of miles throughout Victoria, members of the Royal Commission which is inquiring into the grievances of British migrant settlers, have still to hear evidence by 50 witnesses before beginning their report. The commission will conclude its inquiry about the end of September. Then it will begin the compilation of its report. The Commissioners have to consider the evidence and material furnished on behalf of etfery complainant, and there are 311 of them. Already nearly 500 witnesses have been examined, and on 10,000 foolscap sheets there have, accumulated more than four million words of evidence, with moro to come. Many of the settlers have been on their blocks for nine years, and complete investigation of their cases involves a survey of the whole period of their occupancy, complete with exhibits, such as letters to and from various State Departments. The Commissioners freely admit that the inquiry has developed into a much bigger job than they expected. It was thought originally that th<S cost would not exceed £1500. The Imperial, Federal and Victorian Governments agreed to share the expense equally. Recently, however, it was found necessary to provide £900 more towards the cost of the inquiry, making , the total grant £2400.