DAIRY COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 189, 9 May 1934, Page 10

DAIRY COMMISSION

First Evidence to be Taken This Morning PRIVATE INVESTIGATION A preliminary meeting was held yesterday by tlie Royal Commission which lias been appointed by the Government to investigate the dairy industry. The bearing of evidence will commence this morning, but the proceedings will be closed to the Press and the public. It is stated that the decision to make the inquiry' a private one has been taken in the'interests of the industry itself, for it is considered that no good purpose will be served by the publication of much of the evidence that is likely to be given. 'Die view is also taken that statements by witnesses and their replies to cross-examination will be given with more frankness with the sittings in camera. The members of the commission are his Honour Mr. Justice Fraser,’who is chairman. Mr. J. Gilkison. of Invercargill, Mr. G. A. Duncan, of Ilawera, Mr. D. O. Williams, of Massey Agricultural College, and Mr. W. A. loins, of Martinborougb. Yesterday morning they had a preliminary discussion with the Prime Minister. Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, the Minister of Finance, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. C. E. Macmillan. Whether the commission will hear evidence outside of Wellington has yet. to lie decided. As far as possible the commission is likely to endeavour to confine its sittings to Wellington, but should it be considered necessary to travel, visits will be paid possibly to Taranaki and Waikato, the two great dairying areas of the Dominion. Requests have also been received for the commission to visit the South Island. The Wellington meeting-place of the commission will be the Government Whips’ room at Parliament Buildings. A secretariat of three will assist tlie commission, the members being Professor W. Riddet. of Massey Agricultural College. Mr. E. J. Fawcett, of tlie Department of Agriculture, and Mr. H. L. Wise, of the Department of Industries and Commerce. The registrar of tlie Arbitration Court, Mr. J. A. Gilmour. has been appointed secretary to the commission.