VESTEY'S PURCHASE

Grey River Argus, 29 May 1925, Page 5

VESTEY'S PURCHASE

WAS ALTERNATIVE l-EARI.D: NOSWORTHY’S APPROVAL. WELLINGTON, May i’S. At the Vestey inquiry to-day, Dr. Reakes (Director-General of Agrie'ilure) said that the late Mr. MacDonald when Minister for Agriculture, was instrumental in passing the. Act of 1918, and was strongly opposed ito trusts. Yet. he had renewed Vestey' license from year to year. He (i)r. Reakes) had closely supervised the operations of Vesteys, but he declared that ifheir operations were not inimical to the public interest. He denied that Hon Mr. Nosworthy had been in any way influenced by h<big financial interests regarding ithe sale C>f the Povertj- Bay Works o Vesteys Dr Reakes said the Minister was impressed by the fact that the 10. cal authorities themselves did not protest against the transfers. He told Mr Nosworthy he could not see anything to warrant Mr Nosworthy in refusing to consent to the transfer. Dr Reakes said he considered that the closing one of the three Poverty Bay works would benefit the farmers there. As Vesteys had not been guilty of anything that would warrtn the refusal of the transfer to them, he would be jus. tified in assuming that, if their license were transferred. Vestey’s would pro. ceed to adopt methods inimical to the public interest. Since the granting of their license lie knew no facts showing that any injury to the farmers in the district had resulted.