MR ELLIOT EXPLAINS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 6

MR ELLIOT EXPLAINS.

TNQUIR V WELCOMED. WELLINGTON, September 29. Mr G. Elliot, chairman of Wilson's (N.Zd Port la ud Cement, Limited, made a statement to a reporter to-night with reference to the statements placed before ihe House by Air K. Masters (Stratford). Ho said that, as far as his company was concerned, it had not. the, slightest objection to any investigation that, might be made. Indeed, ii would welcome the fullest inquiry. The demand for cement at the present moment in New Zealand is not sufficient to io ep ■ill the various works going, said Mr Elliot. In addition to the dosing down of the Golden Bay works, (lie Wilson Company has two works in t ’:, ■ North Island which a re idle owing to the dearth of orders. ’! he ii, i; i,i, irioeed. iu - been s, bad that, the. Company has been forced to ship (•••mem to Australia this week. The price of cement rhiriuL Ihe last six months had been reduced IS .-hilling- per toil, and was now from £1 to £3 per ton under ’he cost f imported cement, dim reason why the Golden Bay Company wished to eh>se down its works was that ii- could not make cement on the o dors ii had at a payable price. I i' uc'gesied to the other companies I hal if d elo-,',1 its works the oilier companies might , any on at a full output, and i ad pul. added Mr Elliot, was the crux of the jio-iiiou in < ena. nt-making'. d'ho closing of the G ,lden Bay works con'd, therefore, in no v. iy be a hardship to the public, for I i price v - 1;, a i a i-■ • d. j iideed. ii v. as quiie possible if Golden Bay had not closed (i-'iva tbi the pi i • would have had to be raised on icoount. of the smaller demand necessitating an increased cost of production. Then there was the cost of coal. \s compared with 1914. this had ineiva-ed In three limes, while labour had in. IV me. I by 50 per '.cut. The simple fact v.as Unit,

Golden Bay could l ot carry on at a profit. Ihe companies had absolutely nothing to hide, and would welcome any inquiry.

DEMAND FOR INQUIRY. , WELLINGTON, September 30. Tlie charges made by Mr 11. Masters (Stratford) against the cement companies were mentioned twice in the House of Representatives to-day. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. AI. Wilford) asked the Government whether any steps would bo taken in the matter. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon E. P. late) replied: “The member. 1 understand, has asked for an inquiry. I have no objection to an inquiry being held.” lie proposed to ask the Government to set up a tribunal for that pupose. He desired, however, to confer with the Prime Minister on his return as to the s-one of the inquiry. He proposed also to make a statement to the House on the matter next: week. Mr H. E. Holland (Ruller), referring to the matter a little later, asked the Minister whether, in view of the very grave nature of the charges, he would order immediately that a prosecution for conspiracy be instituted against the people concerned. just as if they they were ordinary citizens, and not members of a trust. The Minister asked that, the question should be placed upon the Order Paper.

THE MILBURN MANAGER INTERVIEWED. Air ,T. 11. Stewart (manager of the Milburn lame and Cement Company), speaking to a reporter on Friday with respect to the alleged combine for controlling t lie price of cement, stated that his company was equally willing, with the Wilson’s Portland Company, to face the fullest investigation into the position. Con;inning, Mr Stewart said: ‘‘Before Mr Masters made statements in the House he might have taken ihe trouble to bo a ecu i,i: e in his fa< R. This is the least that can 1, expected front a man making such serious charges. •‘From your report it would appear that ihe Million! Company had sold out to a syndicate of speculators, and that its stock was then watered. This is evidently wrongk reported, ns it is quite apparent front ili lignri quoted that Air Musters was speaking- of the Golden Bay Cement Company, and not of the Alilburn Company. "With regard to the prices charged by the Milburn Company it is absurd to say that these have risen front £2 3s in 1918 to £6 in 1920. and later to £7 ICs 6.1. The price in Dunedin in January, 1913, was £4 19s per ton, and the highest price that has ever been charged here is £7 4s per ton. The increase in price was entirely due lo the increased cost of production and other charges in be met since the war. “The suggestion for closing down the Golden Bay works came from tho Golden Bay (mpnnv’s niainging director. From tho point of vi<‘\v of t! e Milburn Company's employees, the ari unit came at a most opportune time, bo ■ '-e had it nut been made, our >rk . - Id c have been able j,, work mli'rviiirtontb since April last. As il i all its employees have been kept in steady woik. Even with ihe Golden Bay Cumpiny being flood down our output, is much beluv. its maximum, and we have i iHieiilly in placing all. the cement we are manufacturing.”