CHAMBERS’ REQUEST

Press, Volume C, Issue 29662, 4 November 1961, Page 13

CHAMBERS’ REQUEST

Commission Of Inquiry (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 3. The Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand has made the following request to the Government on the controversy concerning the Nelson cotton mill: (1) That a commission of inquiry should examine the whole circumstances concerning the Nelson cotton mill with a vie • to determining whether carrying on with the proposal is justified and, if not, that the Government should take the necessary steps to negotiate a revision of the agreement

(2) That it is essential that the terms of reference to a commission of inquiry should include consideration of the general principles lying behind the promotion of major development projects of this nature in New Zealand. A statement by the association says: “In view of a request by the ’’elson Chamber . . . that if the association proceeded with its case the terms of reference of the commission should be widened to cover all similar agreements and protective arrangements already in existence, the association has replied, reserving that point meantime, but referring to the undertaking already given to the association by the Minister of Industries and Commerce that he intends to table a White Paper in the House of Representatives giving the details of agreements generally made between the last Government and monopoly companies.” The association has asked the Minister to hasten publication of the White Paper.