COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25346, 20 November 1947, Page 6

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

Government Decision ANNOUNCEMENT <BY MR PARRY (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, November 19. A commission will be appointed by the Government to make a full investigation into the fire at Ballantyne’s. This was announced m the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. P^i ry desire to take this early opportunity of announcing that the Government will arrange for a commission to make a • full investigation into the whole of the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate tragedy that has occurred in Christchurch through the fire in Ballantyne’s buildings yesterday afternoon,” said Mr Parry. The commission will be given all the powers necessary for a complete investigation of the whole matter. ‘ The normal provisions of the Fire Brigades Act, 1926, empowering the Christchurch Fire Board to arrange a coronial investigation do not altogether suit the circumstances of this case in view of its magnitude, and for this reason the Government has decided to make it the subject of a full investigation by a commission. I will take an early opportunity during the next few days of announcing further particulars concerning the commission.”