MR. LYSNAR'S ACTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 130, 5 June 1925, Page 8

MR. LYSNAR'S ACTS

"BLCLYING & THREATENTRANSACTIONS \VITH 'MEAT \ BOARD | SUMMED -.UP BY KING'S CODNSETJ. It- .was nothing but bullying and _;. threatening in a sordid endeavour to get' -whatever suited • the financial interests of Mr. Lysnar and his com-. PanJ'i . ' ' „'■' In" these words, Mr. 6. P. Skerrett, K.C., addressing" the Royal Commission of Inquiry into' .Vestey's purchase of the Poverty Bay Meat Company to-day, summed up the actions of Mr. Lysnar during .'-his transaction with the Meat Export Control' Board. .' ' ;'. In" resuming his address;,6h. .behalf.' of the Meat Board, Mr. Skerr'ett/ dealt in detail with the allegations made by Mr. Lysnar against.the Meat Board in respect of the non-inclusion of the Admiral Codrington in the shipping - contracts. Mr. Skerrett pointed out.that only, half of the ship's carrying capacity had been available. With his usual arro-gance/-Mr.- Lysnav had suggested that the board-should go to the company, cap in.iand, and ask if the company desired_.to be included in the contract.; If the board had-done that it would have Ijeen ,very ill-advised indeed, and would aiot have been .acting in the interests of its. constituents—the sheep farmers and meat producers of New Zealand. The board had to perform functions extending all over New. Zealand, but he ventured J:a .'say. that the Commission would .see- tha_t the transactions with the Pov-erty-Bay-Company gave the board far TOore-.trouble," fai-niore' anxiety, and 7iUr"more*'ii)cciiv.enience..than the whole of the business of the Meat Board throughout jST e\v Zealand. That indicated the unreasonable attitude that Mr. Lysnar took up during his whole connection with the board. It had been nothing but bullying and threatening in a sordid endeavour to get whatever suited the financial interests of Mr. Lyanar and his company. * MEAT BOARD KNEW THE FACTS ■■In'regard to the suggestion that the Heat Board had not heard the case of the company before' reaching a decision, Mr.' Skeri'ett stated that the board had the matter very fully before it. The financial position of the company-was well i known.-.. What -would have" been the I effect it,a, deputation from the company Jiad come down and interviewed the board. The- chairman (Mr. J. Alexander): ■VThe Commission would probably not have been sitting-." Sir.-Lysnar:.-"I-'agree with you." Mr.rSKerfett'.: ■ "Well, sir, I can't appreciate, the. chairman's observation.- I think it a very severe view to.take." Mr.'Sk'eVrett'was proceeding to state why he considered that the Commission would still; have; had to sit, whether there had been a deputation or not, when the, Chairniap .intervened with the remark.that his observation did notneccsexpress his own personal opinion. AVhat he had intended to convey was the view'probably held by certain people. CASE FOR THE BANK ' Opening his address on behalf of the KatidnaT.Baufc,"Mr. M.' Myers, K.C., said -.that the,tissues Jn the inquiry as far a3 the'bank was concerned were simple and I few. He did not intend to-make-a I speech...analytical of the evidence and critical of matters of detail, but he proposed as-briefly as possible to refer ..to •the broad "issues.; It was. true that there had.been a conflict—an unfortunate conflict—of.^testimony .on many matters .which the Commission' had inquired "into, iut-that fact-was material rather in regard to the"; issues. affecting; the Government and the Meat Board; than in regard to. the bank.'' It was not unimportant to observe "the number of persons with whom Mr. Lysnar was in, conflict m the evidence given at the inquiry.- He was in conflict with Mr. Jolly, with Mr. James "Kndlay, and with Mr. Jones, the ] chairman'qf the Meat Board. Mr. Jtyerswonfc on to review the evidence that -had been, given, or led by-Mr. Lys- : nar, "and" stated 1 thafc'at Gisborne Mr. ' Lypnar;ha.d;supplied witnesses withtypewritten copies of what they were to say. ... Mr".'"Lysnar: ""Is that any worse than y0u?..,, Mr. Jolly had notes, and had His secretary at his elbow." Mr. Myers:-"Well,-Mr. Lysnar, if you can't see any difference, I'm not going to .?tgtte with you." Mr. Myers went on to deal with interviews which took place between Mr. Jolly and MiV Xysnar, and Tef erred to. the-".unwarranted "and malicious attacks which Mr. Lysnar chose to make against the National Bank'and Mr. .Tolly particularly." "both in'the course of his opening address and during the coin-so of his evidence: The Commission adjourned until Uhis afternoon. ■-■"•■