PRICE TRIBUNAL PROSECUTION

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23949, 17 May 1943, Page 6

PRICE TRIBUNAL PROSECUTION

COUNSEL REPLIES TO JUDGE’S STATEMENT (P.A.) GISBORNE, May 15. Commenting on the statement by Mr Justice Hunter about the recent Price Tribunal prosecution in Gisborne, counsel for the defendant (Mr L. T. Burnard) said to-day that his Honour’s comment was contradicted by the facts and the Court records. When the case was first called there was no appearance of the prosecution. On the second occasion the Price Tribunal sought a further adjournment and this was granted pn the condition’ that the evidence of the defendant (who came from a distance) was taken. This evidence was given on oath and was open to cross-examination. It formed the basis of the statement made by counsel when the case was called a third time, and the prosecution sought leave to withdraw the charge. This statement was now disputed by his Honour. There was an interval of something like a month between the taking of the defendant’s evidence and the final disposal of the case, so that the Price Tribunal must have been aware of the circumstances alleged by the defendant. Notwithstanding this, no attempt was made to refute the defendant's allegations. On the contrary, counsel for the tribunal expressly stated in Court that he accepted the defendant’s version.