STATE ENTERPRISES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1937, Page 2

STATE ENTERPRISES.

INQUIRY IN N.S.W. Received December 15, 11.55 a.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 15. The Premier (Mr B. S. B. Stevens) has announced in the Assembly that Mr Justice Halse Rogers has been appointed a Royal Commissioner to inquire into the truth of allegations and suggestions made by Mr J. T. Lang (Leader of the Opposition) regarding the sale of State enterprises. _ Mr Stevens said the commission was framed in the widest terms so the whole of the charges of fraud and corruption could" be inquired into. Mr Lang asked that the Government pay the costs of his own legal adviser and counsel to enable him to present his case. It is believed the request will be refused. On December 10, after a bitter debate in the Legislative Assembly, regarding the disposal by the Government of the State pipe works, the State brick works, and the State metal quarries, in the course of which the Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. T. Lang) alleged fraud and corruption on the part of the Government, the Premier (Mr B. S. B. Stevens) said that he would appoint a Roya.l Commission to inquire into the charges if Mr Lang would give evidence. Mr Lang accepted the challenge, and said he would welcome a Royal Commission. The matter arose from a bitter controversy in which it was alleged that shortly after the Government disposed of the State works the prices of the materials they produced rose sharply.