MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19349, 9 December 1924, Page 8

MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD.

MR LYSNAR’S ATTACK

STATEMENT BY MR DAVID JONES. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 3. “ Yes, I read what Mr W. D. Lysnar, M.P. £or Gisborne, .had to say and the charge he made against the board and more particularly against myself,” said Mr David Jones, chairman of the Now Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, on his return from Britain by the Niagara. “The gist of it was that Ihe board and myself favoured meat trusts, and he asked for my removal from the board. I will make a full answer at the inquiry which is to be made into his charges. Meanwhile, I would point out that at the annual election of representatives of the producers to elect the board Mr Lysnar was nominated as a candidate. I was pleased to see this, because it gave Mr Lysnar an opportunity of proving that he had the support or otherwise of the sneopiarmers of Gisborne and Poverty Bay who knew the facts. Mr Lysnar, however, withdrew from the election. Representatives of the sheepfarmers of the dominion were elected and met in Wellington to hear the annual report of the board and to elect a new board. If Mr Lysnar had believed in his case be could have made a request to be heard before this meeting. The representatives of his own district were there, and it was essentially an ideal court to hear charges ui which all were vitally interested. Mr Lysnar did not choose to trust his case to his fellow sheepfarmers. Instead, Mr Lysnar has appealed to the Government. He made a charge m Par* liament and demanded an inquiry which I understand has been agreed to. ihe board will welcome the fullest investigation, but its order of reference must be wide enough to cover all the facts, and as open to the public as the charges made by Mr Lysnar. No disinterested person would charge the board with favouring trusts. The resolution setting out the board’s policy in regard to trusts was passed, not because of any public agitation, but because tue board realised the serious position that would arise if outside interests gained control of New Zealand meat. The resolution will be given effect to if necessary. It is. of course, to be expected that some will come into conflict wdth the board’s Actions and by bitter attacks endeavour to create a smoko screen under which they may attempt to escape without observation, but the producers will be guided by results.”