THE SUGAR COMMISSION

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15922, 7 May 1912, Page 7

THE SUGAR COMMISSION

DEFIANT WITNESSES

COLONIAL SUGAR COMPANY DIRECTORS FAIL TO APPEAR. United Press Association—By Electria Telegraph—Copyright. (Received May 6, 9.45 p.m.)

SYDNEY, May 6.

At the sitting of Sugar Commission to-day the chairman announced that, in view of certain facts which had been published, Mr Knox evidently believed he had grounds for the accusation he made against the Commission, therefore the chairman withdrew the terms in which he characterised the accusation when he said it was a deliberate lie, whatever Mr Knox-'s belief. However, the charge was baseless. Ho then called Mr Knox and other directors of the Sugar Company. All failed to respond'. ..'.', The chairman stated that he would now leave the matter in the hands of the Federal Government and adjourned the Commission -bill Thursday. Mr Knox forwarded a letter, stating that he would appear when he had the assurance of the Commission that tho statement tendered by him would be received in full as part of the record of the Commission, and when a record of the evidence already taken was sup-' plied to him and time and opportunity were given to him for replying to it later.

The chairman of the company wrote, stating that the absence of himself and his co-directors was. a protest against the treatment the company and the general manager had received at the hands of the Commission. They were prepared to attend if, after Mr Knox had presented the company's case and had an opportunity of replying to evidence already taken, the Commissioners were still of opinion- that a useful purpose would be served. Mr Hughes, Federal AttorneyGeneral, stated .that ho had given struefcions for certain steps to be taken.