THE TRUST PROBLEM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16606, 9 December 1924, Page 12

THE TRUST PROBLEM.

MR. D. JONES REPLIES TO MR

W. D. LYSNAR, INVESTIGATIONS WBLOOMED. (Per Press rtssoflflnon l AUCKLAND, last night. "Yes, 1 read what, Mr. W. I>. Lysnar, M.P. for Gisborne, had to say, and the charge he made against the Board and more particularly against myself," said' Mr. David Jones, chairman of the N.Z. Meat Producers' Board, on his return from Britain by the Niagara.

"The gist of* it," he continued, "was the Board and myself favored meat trusts, and he asked for my removal from the Board. I will make a full answer at Ihe inquiry that is to be made into bis charges. 'Meanwhile I would point out that, at the annual election of representatives of the producers to elect a Board, Mr. Lysnar was nominated as a candidate. I was pleased to see this, because ii gave Mr. Dysnar an iippoi'ttinil v of proving thai lie had the isupporl or otherwise of the sheepu farmers of llisborne and Poverty Bay who knew the facts. Mr. Lysnar, however, withdrew from the election. Representatives of the sheep farmers 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 own case," said Mr. Jones, "he could have made ;i request to ho heard hefore this meeting. Representatives of his own districts were there, and. it was essentially an ideal court to hear the charges in which all were vitally interested. Mr. Lysnar did not choose to trust his ease to his fellow eheepfarmers. Instead! Mr. Lysnar has appealed to the Government, lie has made a charge in Parliament, and demanded an inquiry which. 1 understand, has been agreed to. My Board wi.l 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 favoring trusts. "A resolution setting out the Board's policy in regard to trusts was passed, not because of any public agitation, but because the 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 with the Hoard's actions and; by bitter attacks endeavor to create a smoke screen, under which they may attempt to escape without observation. lint the producers will be guided by the results."