PENDING INQUIRY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19987, 12 July 1939, Page 14

PENDING INQUIRY

SHEEP-FARMING INDUSTRY CONDITIONS IN DOMINION PLANS OF COMMISSION EVIDENCE NEXT WEEK (TVr Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Methods of procedure for the preparation of its report were decided by the Sheep-farming Industry Commission at a meeting in Wellington yesterday. The commission will begin taking evidence in Wellington on July 20. Because of the necessity for the commission to complete its deliberations and present its report within a reasonable time, if is desired to minimise travelling and to avoid any unnecessary duplication of evidence. The evidence to be presented by national central organisations directly connected with the sheepfarming industry, such as the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, the New Zealand Sheep-owners’ Federation, the New Zealand Live-stock Auctioneers and Agents’ Association and the New Zealand Workers’ Union is to be given in Wellington. Wherever possible it is desired that these organisations should .select representative witnesses to place before tiie commission the views of their organisations. The commission will allot suitable dates .so that all witnesses tendered shall be heard in succession. Limitation of Evidence The commission decided yesterday that district organisations affiliated to national organisations directly connected with the industry should, as far as possible, limit their evidence to matters affecting their localities. These witnesses will be heard at the most convenient centre at which the commission holds a sitting.

These national and district organisations must notify the secretary of the commission if they wish to produce witnesses. Notification must be received by July 31, and 12 typewritten copies of the evidence must be forwarded before August 12. All other persons and organisations desirous of making representations must comply with these conditions and if the commission considers the personal attendance of a witness is desirable it will notify those concerned. All evidence will be taken in committee, so that witnesses will not be embarrassed.

An organisation, national or local, tendering witnesses will be permitted during the presentation of its case to have an advocate or advocates present to outline the case to be presented and to assist in examining witnesses.

The commission will hold sittings in centres where it considers them necessary and it will also inspect typical sheep-farming areas. All communications intended for the commission must be addressed to the secretary, P.O. Box 1148, Wellington, C.I.