PUBLIC INQUIRY WANTED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 306, 24 November 1945, Page 6

PUBLIC INQUIRY WANTED

ALLEGATIONS BY INSPECTOR. WELLINGTON, No,v. 24. A petition praying for a public inquiry into the allegations of George Laing, Government • motor-vehicle inspector, that worn-out and obsolete vehicles were sent to New Zealand forces in the Pacific, was presented to the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr C. H. Chapman (Lab., Wellington North) on Mr Laing’s behalf. Mr Laing also asked that those who had been wronged or censured in any way for their efforts to ensure the safety of the soldiers' should have “their probity and rectitude publicly reinstated.”

The petitioner stated that on January 26, 1943, officers going on active service had complained to him that a large pro-portion of approximately 500 motor-vehicles being sent overseas were unfit lor active service. He made efforts to have these vehicles replaced, but without success. He then petitioned Parliament, but the petition was withdrawn following an assurance that a committee of inquiry would investigate the matter. That investigation was quite unsatisfactory to petitioner, who had never been able to learn what findings, jf any, were reached. Because of his efforts in the matter he bad incurred the hostility, of persons in high places and his official standing had been unfairly prejudiced. Disciplinary action had also been taken against certain officers who had drawn attention to the defective vehicles. Petitioner said that at the time the old vehicles were sent away approximately 500 new vehicles of similar types had been in Wellington for nearly two months, find had been reserved for a certain motor company to sell to civilians.