SUPPLY OF ROOFING MATERIALS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23029, 21 October 1944, Page 4

SUPPLY OF ROOFING MATERIALS

Spirited Reply To Criticism

(N.Z.P.A.) DUNEDIN, Oct. 20. Characterising the tenor of the recent publicity regarding the supply of roofing materials in the South Island a;; “misleading, mischievous and, in part, entirely incorrect,” Mr J. S. Fletcher, managing director of Dominion Industries, Ltd., said to-night that Mr James Fletcher was net Building Controller, nor did he or his Department promulgate regulations referred to by Mr C. S. Thomas in the recent action in Christchurch.

These regulations, in common with the other regulations governing the control and use of building materials during the war. were brought in by the Ministry of Supply before the appointment of Mr Fletcher either as Commissioner of Defence Construction or as Commissioner of Works. The Ministry of Supply through its adminstrative officer and Building Controller ar G. W. Albertson) directly administered these regulations. The fact was well known to responsible representatives of the building industry. In regard to the allegation that the Commissioner of Works was the chief shareholder of Dominion Industries, Ltd., Mr J. S. Fletcher pointed out that this company was owned entirely by Fletcher Holdings, Ltd., a public company in which Mr James Fletcher was only one of several hundred New Zealand shareholders. It was authoritatively stated, therefore. tha„ he hau no direct control of the policy of Dominion Industries, Ltd., nor was he a director, nor was he able, as had been suggested, to direct the use of tha v company’s products in preference to other materials. “Dominion Industries, Ltd. resents the irresponsible comment that has been aroused by the illadvised statements in the recent action,” Mr J. S. Fletcher added. “It is regrettable that, to cover the misdemeanours of his client. Mr Thomas, when occupying a nnvileged position, should have advanced such an argument in support of his ease.”