REPLY TO MR LYSNAR

Evening Star, Issue 18811, 9 December 1924, Page 4

REPLY TO MR LYSNAR

MEAT TRUSTS AND MEAT BOARD. AIR DAVID JONES RETURNS. [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, December 8. “ Yes, I read what 31r W. I). Lysnar, A(.P. for Gisborne, had to say and the charge ho made against the board and more particularly against myself,” said Air David Jones, chairman of tho New Zealand 3loat Producers’ Board, on his return from Britain by tho Niagara. “The gist of it was that the board and myself favored meat trusts, and he asked for mv removal from tho board. I will make ‘a full answer at the inquiry which is to bo made into his charges. Meanwhile I would point out that at tho annual election of representatives of t he producers to elect tho board Mr Lysnar was nominated as a candidate. I was pleased to see this, because it gave A'.lr Lysnar an opportunity of proving that ho had the support or otherwise of tho slump fanners of Gisborne and Poverty Bay who I knew tho facts. Air Lysnar, however, withdrew from tho election. Representatives of the sheep farmers of the dominion were elected and met in AA ellington to hear tho annual report of the board and to elect a now hoard. If Mr Lysnar had believed in his caso ho could have mado a request to bo heard before this meeting. Tho representatives of Ids own district'were there, and it was essentially an ideal court, to hear charges in which all were vitally interested. Air Lysnar did not choose" to trust his case to his fellow sheep farmers. Instead, Air Lysnar has appealed to tho Government. Ho made a charge in Parliament and demanded an inquiry, which I understand lias been agreed to. The hoard will welcome the. fullest investigation, but its order of reference must be wide enough to cover all tho facts, and as open to the public as the charges made by Air Lysnar. No disinterested person would charge the board with favoring trusts. The resolution setting out the board’s policy in regard to trusts was passed, not because of any public agitation, hut because the hoard realised the serious position that would arise if outside interests gained control of New Zealand meat. The resolution will be given effect to if necessary. It is, of course, to be expected that some will come into conflict with the beard’s actions, and by hitter attack endeavor to create a smoke screen under which they may attempt to escape without observation ; hut tho producers will be guided by results.”