ANOTHER MARE'S NEST.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 762, 20 July 1916, Page 9

ANOTHER MARE'S NEST.

I MILLER BROS'S. REPLY. IMR PAYNE'S CHARGES DENIED. [From our own Parliamentary Reporter.} WELLINGTON, July 19. Certain allegations as to the profits made out of fitting up transports were replied to in a communication read to the House of Representatives to-day by the Hon. J. Alien. Messrs Miller Bros., shipwrights, of Lytfelton and Port Chalmers, who, it was recently alleged by Mr J. Payne (Grey Lynn) had, in conjunction with Mr J. Miller, of Lyttelton, received 10 per cent, for fitting out of transports and 20 per rent, on all material used. The statement contained an emphatic denial to the allegations, and said that any work they had done in connection with transports had been done at as reasonable a rate as possible. "We are prepared," Messrs Miller Bros, wrote, "to give Mr, Payne full particulars as to remuneration received for "work; done, providing he is a gentleman to! be trusted with such information; but, as you are aware, this work is done on the tender system, and it would be unfair to us to make known our price in view of work of a similar nature being done in the future. We may further state that out of the 50 odd transports fitted out we have only done two of them, although it is a recognised fact that we are the largest shipwrighting firm! doing business in the Dominion. In conclusion, we may say that we have no objection to a Royal Commission being set up, as we have nothing to be ashamed of as.far as our work is concerned, and we feel certain thatj the results would surprise hon. mem-i bei's when they learnt how low our; price was for fitting up troopships."