Tea companies investigation

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33957, 25 September 1975, Page 9

Tea companies investigation

The chairman of the Tea Council of New, Zealand (Mr A. .Moore); has asked a professional journalist to undertake an “urgent and impartial" investigation to determine whether certain allegations about j the tea companies in Sri Lanka can be substantiated.

In a letter to “The Press,” Mr Moore said that his attention had been drawn to statements attributed to the; regional organiser of CORSO in Christchurch (Mr R. A. I Consedine). “Mr Consedine has referred to the control of the sale of tea by ‘tea companies.’ The allegation that buyers and sellers at the auctions combine to defeat the auction system is also repeated.” [Mr Consedine’s comments appeared in "The Press" on September 16 and were

made in response to an editorial published the day before under the heading. “Sri Lanka’s politics, and the price of tea.”] In his letter, Mr Moore said that before publication of the journalist’s report, it would be made available for i comment by representatives |of the Sri Lanka Government.

“After this it will be released to the New Zealand Press Association. Copies will be forwarded to the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Muldoon) as patrons of CORSO.

“If Mr Consedine will prepare evidence in support of! his views on the situation in I Sri Lanka, it will be .given; full and fair consideration in! the preparation on the report. A similar opportunity ! is being given all members! of the CORSO organisation! who have been quoted by! the press in recent weeks,”) Mr Moore said.