WHAKATANE MILLS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 110, 15 January 1940, Page 5

WHAKATANE MILLS

PENDING PUBLIC INQUIRY

Commenting on the press report of the Hon. D. G. Sullivan's -statement that a formal judicial inquiry would be granted, Mr H. A. Horrocks stated on Saturday that a fresh application would be lodged this weeli. and in anticipation of an early date being fixed and the matter being dealt Avith promptly the -company would carry cn and make every effort to see that the i>ox-makers' interim require:ments were reasonably covered. Mr Horrocks stated that the Minister's decision to grant the request was appreciated as it was." felt that an open inquiry Avas means by Avhich the true jfsfets could be ascertained, and in vicAA r of the allegations made the pub lie would not be satisfied until the matter Avas properly ventilated in .accordance AA'ith the recognised principles of British justice. MINISTER'S FURTHER STATEMENT REQUEST FOR ENQUIRY GRANTED CONDITIONALLY An indication that if Mr Horrocks, managing director of the Whakatane Paper Mills, Ltd, made a formal application for a -public inquiry by the Price Investigation Tribunal in his claim -for increases in prices the necessary permission would be granted, was given by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, when replying in an interview >©n Friday night to a statement <by Mr Horrocks on Thursday. Mr Sullivan said that in his characteristic style Mr Horrocks Avas jioav endeavouring to side-step the real issue of AA'hetlier or not the •company's application for increased prices Avas justified on the basis of Increased costs in reference to the procedure of the Price Tribunal in ■connection AA'ith the hearing of the application. "The procedure adopted Avas the ordinary procedure Avhich is utilised in connection Avith the majority of applications," Mr Sullivan said. TNIr Horrocks submitted evidence to 3he Tribunal supporting the application, and both he and another director of the company appeared formally, before the tribunal and gave verbal evidence. In addition, the also took verbal eA'idence from the Factory Controller, representatives of the State Forest Service and the Department of Industries and Commerce, and also from box-makers..

"The tribunal considered all the statements made to it and informed Mr Horrocks that it had decided to grant a substantial increase in price but not to the extent asked for by Mr Horrocks.

"It is only in special circumstances that the more formal procedure of a judicial inquiry under the provisions of the Board of Trade Act •when evidence is taken on oath is utilised.

"In his later statement, however, Mr Horrocks now asks the Price Tribunal to hold c public inquiry into the matter that eA T idence should be given on oath, and that the matter be treated as a formal judicial inquiry." Mr SulliA 7 an said he had conferred with the president of the Price Investigation Tribunal, Mr Justice Titer, Avho had stated that if Mr Etorrocks made a formal application for a formal inquiry the neccssary permission Avould be granted. Mr Justice Hunter, however, pointed out that in the public interests on a matter of national importance the

inquiry may necessarily be extended lo all aspects of the company's activities which might have a bearing on the increase in price which the company desires to obtain.