TO HEAR APPEALS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 143, 18 June 1937, Page 14

TO HEAR APPEALS

SIR FRANCIS FRAZER

LICENSING OF INDUSTRY

MINISTER'S ACTION

A statement was made today by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) concerning appeals against licensing decisions of the Bureau of Industry which is the licensing authority under the provisions of tlie Industrial Efficiency Act.

"\ have pleasure in announcing," said Mr. Sullivan, "the appointment of Sir Francis Frazer, deputy chairman of the Executive Commission of Agriculture, as a person to inquire into and report to me upon the subject matter of any appeal which may be lodged against decisions of the? Bureau of Industry in connection with applications for licences in respect of those industries which are gazetted under the terms of the Industrial Efficiency Act, 1936, as subject to licence.

"Some fifteen industries have been so gazetted,',' continued the Minister, "so it will be readily understood that with the large number of decisions which the Bureau is continually giving in respect of applications for licences, a number of appeals are being received. The Minister of Industries and Commerce is the appeal authority; but in terms of Section 21 of the Act, he may appoint any person to inquire injo and report to him upon the subject matter of the appeal or upon any matter in relation thereto. For the purposes of the appeal any person so appointed has the powers of a Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908.-

"It is my earnest desire," said Mr. Sullivan, "to see that any person who appeals against any decision of the Bureau shall have his case weighed up carefully and justly, ancl for that purpose I have decided to appoint an independent authority who will examine each applicant subject to appeal, in a judicial and impartial manner. I am confident that the appointment of Sir Francis Frazer in such a capacity will meet with general approval. Although the final decision of each appeal rests with the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the report and recommendation of the authority appointed to examine- each case will naturally be given very careful consideration in making that decision. Sir Francis Frazer will commence immediately the examination of a limited number of appeals which have been received to date, so that I expect to be able to convey decisions to interested parties very shortly."