DARWIN COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 84, 3 January 1920, Page 7

DARWIN COMMISSION

EVIDENCE REGARDING LAND TRANSACTIONS VESTEY'S AND THE BEEF TRUST (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright ' (Ree. January 2, 7.15 p.m.) Darwin, January 2. At. the Darwin (.'onuuission, Mr. 11. E. ' Carey was examined at length regarding his relations with Dr. tiilnilh ai.d Vestey'.s Meat Company. Asked if Gilruth's first policy were not fanning and closer settlement, witness said he found the policy already made, 'anil had to carry it olil. As the result the Daly River Government Settlement was established. Witness denied that when Vesleys started operations the Administrator changed his policy. Witness was asked if Dr. Gilruth and a man named Palmer took up three thousand acres at Daly River because it was the key to the position, and Dr. Gilruth desired to push the settlers out. Witness: No. Other lots were available, but no one took them lip. Questioned regarding tlto payment of certain moneys to Palmer and Gilruth when their partnership' in the lease was dissolved, Carey domed that the alleged dissolution was a mere blind, and stated that Gilruth held a half-share in the lease, which was issued in the name of Palmer. Asked why Gilruth did not issue the lease to Palmer and Gilruth, witness replied that, as far as the Land Board was concerned, it dealt "with Palmer only. Asked if Palmer did not get special conditions, Carey said no, except that the rent was £3 higher than for , other blocks.Judge Ewing stated that ho had read . correspondence between Vesteys and vari- ' ous persons. Without committing himself by anything he might say, tlie impression left' on his mind was that Vesteys were not connected with the American Beef Trust, and also that there was no .connection between Vesteys and the Government officers, excepting that ! it was once proposed to employ Dr. Gilruth in ccrtain investigations.—Press Assn.