Cement Charges

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 243, 18 October 1921, Page 5

Cement Charges

OPENINC OF INQUIRY. ADJOURNMENT FOR FORTNIGHT. PROTEST AGAINST ORDER OF REFERENCE. [Per Press Association.] Wellington, Oct. 18. The commission to inquire into and report upon the allegations lately made by Mr. Masters, M.P., regarding the cement industry, commenced its sittings to-day. Mr. Justice Sim is the commissioner. Mr. MacGregor, Solici-tor-General, is appearing for the Board of Trade, Mr. Myers for Wilson’s Portland Cement Company tind Golden Bay Cement Company, and Mr. Wilford and Mr. Perry for Mr. Masters. Mr. Wilford explained that he was only assisting Mr. Masters on the

opening day in regard to procedure, and he desired time to instruct counsel fully, as he was unable himself to deal with the case. He suggested that the date for continuation bo fixed for a fortnight hence. His Honour fixed the date for the opening of the enquiry as Tuesday. Ist November. Mr. Wilford objected to the form of the first paragraph of the order of reference. No such paragraph was referred to by Mr. Masters in his speech in the House. His Honour said he could not go into the terms of the commission. Mr. Wilford said he would give notice in that case that Mr. Masters never made such a charge as was covered by the first paragraph, and that ho would not call any evidence on it.

The first paragraph of the order of reference reads: Whether the Board of Trade in December, 1920, in sanctioning a maximum retail price of cement of New Zealand manufacture of £9 13s 6d per ton, ex store in Wellington, was guilty of any impropriety or of a grievous error of judgment. Mr. Masters maintains that the scope of the inquiry is limited to the period between January Ist, 1920, and March. 1921, whereas for the purpose of considering the companies’ procedure it was necessary to go hack to January, 1918. He further says that in clause (I) the inquiry’ was limited to the question of the maximum retail price in New Zealand, whilst his (barges were specially directed against the wholesale prices. Tn no portion W his speech did he refer to the retail prices in Wellington of £9 13s 6d per ton or any other retail prices, as stated in this section. In fact, in renly to the Minister, ho stated distinctly that the basis of charges was the price charged at the works.