SALE OF U.S. VEHICLES

Evening Star, Issue 25868, 12 August 1946, Page 6

SALE OF U.S. VEHICLES

INQUIRY COMMISSION OPENS BIG ARRAY OF COUNSEL (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 12. An unusual array of counsel attended the opening of the Commission of Inquiry into the acquisition and disposal of American motor vehicles by the War Assets Realisation Board in Wellington. Mr J. R. Bartholomew is the commissioner. Mr H. E. Evans, K.C. (Solicitor-General) and Mr P. B. Cook, K.C., appeared for the Crown to assist the commission; Mr S. ft. Stephenson appeared for Brigadier H. E. Avery, former general manager of the board; Mr T. P. Ciearv, for the board; Mr J. Meltzer, for Mr 0. Conibear', secretary of the board; Sir W E. Leicester, with him Mr R. E. Tripe, for Messrs W. S Goosman, R G. Gerard, W. J. .Broadfoot, and W. A. Sheat, members of Parliament, as •members of the public in their private capacities; Mr L. G. Rose, for Mr ft. Laing, general inspector of Government motor vehicles; and Dr Hoggard for ft. T. Gillies'and Sons, of Oamaru A preliminary objection was raised by Mr Cleary, who said Mr Leicester's clients should not claim to represent the public, as members of other political parties might also have chosen to do so, and the general public would then speak in a diversity of tongues. -Mr Cleary claimed that those clients had made extravagant statements and innuendoes which had resulted in an inquiry being arranged. After Mr , Leicester had replied, Mr Bartholomew, said the objection appeared to be a case of making a mountain out of a molehill. Mr Leicester's clients were entitled to' appear as representatives of the public if they so desired' Mr Cooke, in his opening address, which is still proceeding, gave a detailed account of'the transactions relating to the purchase. He said vehicles and, parts acquired from the United States'for £15,500 had been sold for £83,146. 1 There had been! • however, a forfeiture of £3,195, and the Customs Department had been . credited with 41 2-3 per cent, of the sales figure. Mr Cooke said the evidence would show that the Treasury had favoured the outright'purchase of the Vehicles and equipment. On January 9,-1946. the War Assets Board took possession of the assets. A week later, with stocktaking under way, the board resolvedthat' disposal action be taken. The “ scrap material and metal,” including spare parts, was bought by the New Zealand Government from the United States, authorities, apart from the original formal declaration from the U.S.J.P.B. in. September. i