DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 15 June 1927, Page 5

DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL

MR PATERSON’S ACTIONS

REPLY TG MR GROUNDS

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON”, This Daj\ Tn a lengthy letter to Mr Grounds, chairman of the Dairy Produce Control Board, Morison, Smith, and Morison, solicitors for Mr Stronach Paterson, late Government representative on the board's London agency, call attention to the fact that Mr Paterson noted various New Zealand newspapers, including the ‘‘Dairy Produce Exporter” of 26th March last, giving what purported to be Mr Grounds’ version of Mr Paterson’s actions in his capacity of Government representative. Mr Paterson was unable to reply at once by reason of distance from New Zealand, and to do so now would be futile. Therefore he did not consider it desirable at this stage to enter a discussion on the merits or demerits of price fixation of dairy produce in London, an issue already settled at the expense of New Zealand farmers; but Mr Paterson desires to repudiate what he regards as gross misrepresentation by Mr Grounds of his (Mr Paterson’s) actions as Government representative on the London agency and would welcome an opportunity to lirjve his actions fully investigated before a royal commission or other appropriate tribunal. Mr Paterson further considers that Mr Grounds in his attacks on him (Mr Paterson) referred to conversations which Mr Paterson understood were' confidential, and furflier, that Mr Grounds' attack contained complete mis-statements of fact distorting (he general aims and effect of Mr Paterson’s work. Mr Paterson expects to return to New Zealand in October, when lie will be ready to participate in a public investigation into his own actions and what he terms “the board’s disastrous policy.”