MEAT INQUIRY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 February 1925, Page 5

MEAT INQUIRY

PRELIMINARY SESSION.

MR. LYSNAR’S OBJECTIONS

PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS,

(BY TELEGRAPH—-PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 7.

A preliminary sitting of tne Royal Commission appoi iiteci to enquire into the administration of the Government in connection with meat export control, following complaints, made by Mr \\ . D. Lysnar, ALP., in the'House against the action of the. Minister for. Agriculture (the Hon. TV. Nosworthy) and the Aleat Board in connection with the sale of the freezing works of the Poverty Bay Farmers’ Aleat Company to Messrs \'estey Bros., was held in Wellington to-day. Sir John Findlay, K.C., appeared for the Government, Air C. P. Skerrett, K.C., for the Meat Board, and All Myers, K.C., for the NationaL’Bank of New Zealand. ; Air Lysnar appeared in person, and raised the point as to whether the. order of reference was sufficiently wide to enable proper enquiry to he made. He desired that it be made clear that the enquiry should include evidence as to the circumstances under which Alessrs Yestey Bros, conduct their business in. this country and other parts of the world. Discussion followed, and Sir John Findlay said tlie Government desired to keep nothing back, but asked Mr Lysnar to put his requests in writing, which Air Lysnar agreed ho do. Sir John Findlay asked; for the production of certain documents and correspondence in the possession of the Poverty Bay Aleat Company. It was agreed that the commission resume the enquiry on March 17 at Wellington. - WELLINGTON, Feb. 9Before the Aleat 'Commission,. Air. Lysnar st.ongly opposed the demand for eoi respondenee with the Bank of Scotland over the Admiral Codrington, which, he claimed, had nothing to do with the inquiry. It was confidential information, and he protested against it getting into the hands of “people considered,, to be our enemies.” Air. Skerrett, who appeared for the Aleat Producers’ Board, said that Air. Lysnar had represented over and over again that he had funds ready to run the ship, and added: “We know that statement is untrue.” Mr. Lysnar: “Prove it.”

As Air. Lysnar still continued to object, Sir John Findlay, who is appearing for the Government, said that he would take out a formal process for the production and serve it on Air. Lysnar on March -17, and if lie-did; hot obey lie would be liable to a heavy penalty, y , , Mr. Lysnar agreed to this, and then raised the question whether Yestey’s would he represented. The chairman said the commission could not give any undertaking to adjudicate on matters the details of which were not before them. That question would have to stand over, but,, Yestey’s would he notified that the commission was sitting. Mr. Lysnar said that if the commission could not go into it he would have to take a very serious view of the situation.

The chairman: There mav be varying opinions about that.

The commission adjourned till Marc}) 17 at Wellington.