"FAIR AND WARMER"

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 122, 27 May 1925, Page 6

"FAIR AND WARMER"

THE VESTEY COMMISSION

PASSAGES BETWEEN COUNSEL

MR. LYSNAR'S "CAPACITY FOR

THINKING."

There were further warm passages "between counsel to-day at the sitting of the Royal Commission set up to inquire into the sale of the Poverty Bay Farmers' Meat Company to Vestey Bros., and on one occasion, when the question of the production of minute book was being discussed, Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., saw fit to remark that Mr. Lysnar had "lost his capacity for thinking."

The Commissioners are Messrs. J. Alexander (chairman), A. M'lntosh, and F_. Fitzgerald. Counsel appearing are as follow : For the Government, Sir John Findlay, K.C., and Mr. C. H. Taylor; for the Meat Board, Mr. C. P. Skerrctt, K.C., and Mr. 0. A. L. Trcadwell; for the National Bank of New Zealand, Mr. M. Myers, K.C., and Mr. T. C. A. Hislop; for the "Poverty Bay Farmers' Meat Company, Mr. W. I>. Lysnar; and Mr. H. i\ Johnston.

When the Commission resumed, Mi 1. Lysnar proceeded to read a number of letters which had passed between the Gisborne branch of the Farmers' Union and the Minister of Agriculture, and an interjection by Sir John Findlay brought the remark that Vestey's had been operating to the detriment of the Dominion as a whole.

Sir John : "Ma nly for the glorification of Mr. Lysuar, I think."

Mr. Lysnar: "The glorification of Mr. Lvsnar is not in it: My pocket has suffered to the extent of £20,000 as a result of their operations. • I would not have committed myself to that extent had it not been for the promises of legislation .that were made and not carried into effect. Many other farmers have also suffered. The remark of Sir John. I think, is a little bit out of place."

Mr. Lysnar proceeded with his examination of Mr. John Fraser, general manager of the Meat Board, and asked him to give, the Commission any. evidence he had in his minute-books regarding the Admiral Codrington. Mr. Skerrett : "I really must protest against this. Mr. Lysnar asked officers of the Board two things yesterday, and both of these- have been complied with.. Now he asks for something more—some-thing-unreasonable, in that it would require endless searching." The Chairman (to Mr. Lysnar) : "What are the particular entries you are wanting?"

Mr. Lysuar : "I want to see what they have in their books regarding the exclusion of the Admiral Codrington from the contract. We are entitled to sec it. This would have been avoided if I had been permitted to see the b~oks."

"INSINUATIONS AGAINST EVERYBODY." Mr. Skerrett : "You make insinuations against everybody." Mi. Lysnar : "I have been prevented from seeing the books." Mr. Skerrett : "It seems that you have no .capacity for thinking." Mr. Lysnar : "I have an equal capacity to yours." Mr. Skerrett : "I am afraid you have lost-it." i Mr. Lysnar (with some heat) : "You i have no right to make that statement • no right at all." Mr. Skerrett : "Well, I am going to make it. Give me the date of minute you are desirous ot seeing, and I will hand it to Mr. Johnston." Mr Lysnar: "What is my friend frightened about on this question?" Mr. Fraser : "We have nothing to be frightened of." Finally, Mr Lysnar gave Mr. Skerrett the date of the minute which he desired to see. and the book was immediately handed to Mr. Johnston. MEAT t. WOOL.

Arising out of a series of questions asked oy the chairman, a discussion ensued on the question of the increased freight on wool and the decreased freight on meat. .Replying to Mr. Lysnar, Mr. Fraser stated thaf it was quite possible that the increase in freight on wool would have taken place even if there had been no. reduction in meat freights On being recalled, Mr. David Jones, chairman of the Meat Board, stated ■ that the freight on wool shipped from New Zealand was lower all round than that shipped from Australia, it was a lesser distance from the market. He estimated that the new freights on wool amounted to a total increase of something; like £84,CC0, whereas the total reduction in freights on meat amounted to £969,000 annually, and that on dairy produce to £290,000. Evidence was given by Mr. Adam Hamilton, a member of the Meat Board, who was closely cross-examined by Mr. Lysnar as to his opinion of Vestey Bros. This raised the question of the meaning of trust or combine, and, when Mr. Lysnar asked witness if he considered that Vestey's was a combine, Mr. Hamilton replied: "I consider they are a big company." Mr. Lysnar produced the Articles of Association of Vesiey Eros., and proceeded to quote various clauses dealing •with (he scope of the company. He drew the remark from pir John Findlay thatsuch clauses would be found in the articles of practically every big company. Mr. pfcerrclt: "You live to learn, 'Mr. Lvsnar."

Mr. Lysnar: "Oh, we. all do that. Even you learn at, times, 'Mr. Skei-rett." The Commission adjourned until 2.30 o'clock this afternoon.