COST OF LIVING COMMISSION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 10 June 1912, Page 5

COST OF LIVING COMMISSION

REFUSAL TO GIVE EVIDENCE

[By Telegraph—Special to Star.] WELLINGTON, June 8. The refusal of several Dunedin merchants to give evidence on oath before the Cost of Living Commission has naturally aroused much interest here, in view of the fact that the Commission has jet to take depositions in Wellington, where three of the leading firms have been proceeded against by the Governmnt under the Prevention of Monopoly Act, the information alleging that they are parties to an arrangement with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company,which tends to restrict natural competition in the commodities produced by that Company. It is understood that the three firms have been cited, not because the arrangement was alleged to be wholly confined to them, but for the reason that as' they are members of the New Zealand Merchants' Association, it was convenient to include them for the purpose of a test case. .If the firms in Duneclm concerned in the refusal to give evidence are members of the Merchants' Association the reason for their attitude is obvious. Naturally the results are awaited with interest.