TRANSACTIONS IN SUGAR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 88, 10 October 1912, Page 8

TRANSACTIONS IN SUGAR

TRUST ALLEGATIONS PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS. The New Zealand Merchants' Association's appeal against the Chief Justice's order for the production of documents in the caae of the King against the Merchants' Association and others was continued before the Court of Appeal to-day. * On the Bench, were their Honours Sir Joshua Williams, Mr. Justice Dennist6n, Mr. Justice Edwards, Mr. Justice Cooper, and Mr. Justice Chapman. Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., with him Mr. C. H. TreadwelL appeared for the appellant*, and the Solicitor-General (Mr. J. >W. Salmond) and Sir John Findlay, K.C., for the Crown. This morning the appellants asked leave to file an affidavit answering certain arguments put forward by the Crown. The affidavit was made by Henry Arthur Gold, secretary of the Merchants' Association of New Zealand, It set out that true copies 01 all entries in the association's minute book relating in any wise, direct or indirect, to transactions in sugar had been supplied to the Solicitor-General. All other entries contained in the minute book since the passing of the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, did not relate in. any wise, either direct or indirect, to sugar or to the transactions of the association or any of its members with the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., Ltd., and therefore all such entries did not relate to any matter id question in this action. The Solicitor-General admitted that it wae within the power of thei Court to allow the affidavit to be filed, even at this stage in the proceedings; but he submitted that the Court should regard the matter as one for grave consideration, especially in view of th« appellant*' contention that their affidavit waa conclusive. Appellants heard ,the Crown's argument, and then answered it by affidavit which could not be replied to. Thfeir Honours considered the 'matter, and Sir Joshua Williams . then announced that the filing' of the affidavit would be allowed. It should -have been fi^ed «it the commencement of the proceedings ; but the Crown was not prejudiced by the latei filing, as no answering affidavit could be made in any ca'ee. Orie matter in which th« Crown might be affected was 'that of 'costs, which would be considered later, as woul(f also the question of the collusiveness- of the affidavit. (Proceeding.) > There was a large attendance of members of the Vivian-street Baptist Church at the meeting held last night to consider what action the church ghould take in view of the fact that the pastor (R.eV. J. J. North) had received a call to Oxford-terrace Church. Christchurch. Mr. Hoby presided, and in a' short speech expressed the hope that as . * result of tho meeting Mr. North would be persuaded to remain in Wellington for many years to come. He referred to the many qualifications Mr. North had for the work of the Christian ministry, and his self-denying zeal in the service of the church. His efforts on behalf of 'national righteousness were especially ' needed tin our day. The necessity for retaining his services in the interests ot the moral welfare of the city was emphasised. Resolutions were carried expressing appreciation of the members of the church of the value of Mr. North's ministry and- the importance of retaining his services in the Empire City. These were spoken to by Messrs. Purdie, Chant. Cathie, Moodie. Blackburn, Nicol, Mrs. Kirk, and Miss 'Cathl* (<m behalf of church members), Mr, Anton (Y.M. Bible Class), Mrs. Palmer (Sunday School teachers), Mr, Collins (choir). A large deputation subsequently waited on Mr. North and convoyed the resolutions to hhn. Mr. North i promised' to give an answer this week.