P.B. MEAT WORKS SALE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 February 1925, Page 2

P.B. MEAT WORKS SALE.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. MR, LYSNAR 1 PROTESTS AGAINST PERSONNEL. Mr. W. T). Lysnar has protested to the Government- against the personnel of the Commission of inquiry into the sale of the Poverty Bay meat works. He says- that- so far <ats he can ascertain not a member of the commission has had sufficient experience to weigh all the important technical facts and principles- involved. He recalls the promise- that a Supreme Court Judge would be appointed chairman. There was, he says, an earlier suggestion that- the late Hon. Oliver Samuel and Sir Francis Bell should act as a commission, but it was abandoned owing to the absence from the Dominion ol Mr. David Jones. Mr. Lys-nar also says lie- was promised the privilege of suggesting one assessor and Mr. Jones the”other. AY hen the judges intimated that none desired to act, he had suggested, a retired judge- and a retired magistrate as one assessor. Mr. Lysnar takes exception to the appointment of Mr. Mackintosh, who was late general manager of the Bank of New Zealand, which he says, is to- some extent- a Government institution. As the sitting of the commission will , probably resolve, in the Vestey’s matter, into- a- fight- whether big institutions or the Government should be in control, Mi-. Lysnar feels that Mr. Macintosh should realise that his position is invidious. As to Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Lysnar says lie understand Si Mr. F i t-’/gc raid has been retired many years, and his long inactive period and his- previous occupation as a- civil engineer lender him not suitable. Mr. Lysnar adds that lie feels that- the commission, as constituted, will be of little or no value, and the only benefit- will be to obtain publicity of the facts and evidence. Sir Franc*is; Bel! has< written Mr. Lys-ma-r thlat no judge or retired judge was available. It would be irregular #f an. individual interested were allowed to nominate a- member of the commission. Sir Francis Bell understands that Mr. Mackintosh 'has long ceased to be associated with any bank, and it- is extravagant to suggest that lie would be prejadir-ed in favour of the National Bank. The Government endeavoured to appoint an impartial commission. In reply i/i Sir Francis 8011, Mr. Lysniar stays -he lias not mistaken, the arrangement with the Premier, and he emphasises that it is- essential in Mr, Jones’ case that- the commission-should comprise men. acquainted with judicial proceedings, as part of the complaint wa-s that Mr. Jones had not heard the conipahy before allowing the hoard to come to a decision.