SALE OF ARMY CARS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 September 1944, Page 7

SALE OF ARMY CARS

MR FRASER’S STATEMENT

WELLINGTON, September 13. In the House, Mr Watts (Independent, Riccarton), raised the question of the correctness of a reply by the Minister of Supply (Mr Sullivan) to a question by Mr Gerard (Nat., MidCanterbury), regarding the sale oi motor-cars to officers in the Southern Military District at prices allegedly below market value. He said there was a discrepancy between the Minister’s statement that two valuations had been disputed and a report of the Auditor-General of six transactions being below an independent valuation.

Mr Sullivan said his answer was correct and honest in that the only cases brought to . his attention were the two mentioned in his answer. After the Auditor-General had considered the valuation by the officers ho had, apparently, decided that there were two cases upon which he should report to the Government. He had done so, and on no others. Mr Fraser said the matter had been brought before him. It was investigated, and he was not satisfied that everything was in order, and he had asked that a report be sent to the Auditor-General to enable the latter to take any action that he thought fit. There was no attempt to shield anyone. If everything was not above board, those responsible should be dealt with.