LYSNAR CHARGES

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1925, Page 1

LYSNAR CHARGES

[by TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, April (5. Before the Vestoy Commission James Findlay (New Zealand representative of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Shipping Company) detailed a conversation which had taken place with Lysnar on the lines already outlined. In other evidence Mr Lysnar said at one stage that Sir J. Findlay must have wanted to compromise him. Mr Myers said that was a fantastic suggestion. Recalled, David Jones (Chairman of the Meat Board) said the Board had never considered that it had authority to buy, charter or run vessels trading from New Zealand. The Board had power to make a contract lor the transport of the whole ol the meat from New Zealand, as agents for all the exporters. They were never authorised to force the exporters to ship b v any particular steamer or steamers. The Meat Board discussed the danger of (lie sale of New Zealand meat works to the big capitalised overseas interests. This was when it was reported that the Poverty Bay Coy, was negotiating with Lesleys. A number of meat companies were at that time (1023) in a had way. The Board considered it a danger that large capitalized overseas interests should he purchasing a number of these works at low prices, thus securing a looting, and probably also control in Non Zealand at a very low price. Seeing, however. the small killing done at the Gisborne works, and the high freezing rates in the Gisborne district, the Board felt that it could offer no reasonable objection to (he sale to \ estoys as Lesleys were, as staled, to relieve existing works. '1 he thought it. better in the interest of Dio producers lor \ estoys to purchase the Poverty Bay AN ovks. Mr jolly, further cross-examined referring to his' yesterday’s statement (as reported) that lie said the Farmers’ Union had attacked the National Bank, and he intended to say that some members of tho Union had done so. Asked hv Mr Lysnar what Lesleys paid for tlie works, he replied £212,G00. The company was credited for the hill ’ amount. C 225,000. This was the ar- • rangement between the Bank and \ es- ' toys, and the Registrar of the Supremo Court- had nothing to do vit.h it. . Tho Commission re sale of Poverty : Bay Meatworks to Lesleys, decided to ? visit Gisborne on a date to he nrrang- “ e d to take evidence. The hearing was adjourned till to--5 morrow'.