THE SUGAR COMMISSION

Otago Witness, Issue 3035, 15 May 1912, Page 27

THE SUGAR COMMISSION

DIRECTORS PROSECUTED. SYDNEY, May 8. The Federal Crown Law Office has issued a summons against Mr Knox in respect of his refusal to answer questions before the Sugar Commission. May 9. Mr Peacock, a jam manufacturer, publishes a statement, a copy of which has been handed to the Sugar Commission, which will not'allow it to be read. It covers the position of manufacturers and fruit-growers in regard to the industry, and claims to be the solution of the whole sugar difficulty. This, it says, lies in the direction of no import and no excise duties upon white-grown sugars, and a direct Bonus paid to cane-growers. The result will be, it asserts, that, as in New Zealand, sugar will be sold in Australia at the world's price. Giving evidence before the Sugar Commission to-day, Mr Barnes, State Treasurer in Queensland, stated that the removal of the duty on sugar would cause the industry eventually to die. The lands would become unoccupied and thus invite an invasion by nations with whom we were now at peace. May 10. Mr Knox and four other directors of the Sugar Company were charged to-day with refusing to give evidence before the Sugar Commission. Counsel for the defence declared that he intended to take advantage of every legal objection. He challenged the right of the Commonwealth to appoint a Royal Commission, and he also challenged the right of the Governor-General to appoint the commission except by Order-in-Council. He declared that the Long Parliament passed an act in 1640 to prevent the King from inquiring into the private affair* of citizens. The case has been adjourned till Tuesday. |