FEDFRAL AFFAIRS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16819, 23 August 1922, Page 8

FEDFRAL AFFAIRS.

TH.E SUCAR INQUIRY. FURTHER EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMISSION. By Telegraph Pref*? Association —Oopvright Australian and N.Z. Cable Aseooiation. fßeceived August 23, 12.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, August 23. Mr P. E. Deane, secretary to the Prime Minister, giving evidence before the Federal Sugar Inquiry, said that had the Commonwealth accepted the suggestion contained in a letter from Mr William Davies, an agent who at the time had returned from Java, saving would, have been effected of nearly £250,000. Air Alfred Mathers, a former partner of Air Davies, said, that he had ascertained that the sugar sold through Air Davies amounted to £750,000. A\ hen Mr Davies returned to Australia he possessed £32,000 hard cash. He understood Mr Davies received 30s a ton profit as well as “brokerage. A Joint Committee on public accounts opened an inquiry into the sugar transactions of the Commonwealth. A Government witness stated that since the appointment of the Common wealth Sugar Board, whole purchases local and foreign, were made by the ( olonial Company y - and that no record had been kept of tje transactions of the Government. wmch was dependent for information on the figures supplied by the company.