“SHOCKS THE CONSCIENCE”

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1946, Page 3

“SHOCKS THE CONSCIENCE”

footwear company and LICENCE REFUSAL OF PERMIT ■ (P.A). WELLINGTON, Sept. 21. “It shocks the conscience that a small concern that is endeavouring to fill the gap between the public needs and the supply is refused a licence by a committee of its competitors, and then prosecuted for a criminal offence for what it has done,” said Mr. R. Hardie Boys, in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when he appeared for the Ace Footwear Company, Limr ited, of Petone, who were charged with manufacturing footwear without having a licence under the Industrial Efficiency Act. The information was laid by the Bureau of Industry. Mr. W. R. Birks, who prosecuted, said the firm had intended -to make 200 pairs of sandals weekly and applied in August, 1945, for a licence, which was refused, and again refused in December. To Mr. H. J. Thompson, S.M., Mr. Hardie Boys said sales had been made after the application was refused. He said there had been some misunderstanding due to a letter going astray advising that a permit had been refused. Mr. Hardie Boys quoted at length a statement which appeared in the Christchurch Star-Sun on Thursday, September 12, as a report of a statement by Mr. J. A. Rudge, former senior inspector of footwear in Christchurch for the Department of Industries and Commerce. The Magistrate imposed a fine of £l5 and costs.