WOOLSTON TANNERIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1926, Page 4

WOOLSTON TANNERIES.

FINDING OF COMMISSION

I BY TELEORArn —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION

WELLINGTON. March 23

The report of Mr Justice Hosking, sitting US a Bo.val Commission, to enquire into mailers alleged in the petition of the WouUon Tanneries Limited, dated the lOlli. of July, lfffW and presented to the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in I’arli.iment assembled was made available to-night. The beads of the complaint made by the Company in iis petition wore upproximatoly; (ll That in consequence of coin rolled prices during the period o! the embargo on tho export of bides, the petitioner. working in conjunction with the Board of Trade, reduced its prolit s on the sales of manufactured goods to the lowest margin, loating no room to meet probable tuiure losses. (2) That in consequence of tho removal of the embargo and the rise of prices for bides to a very high level, the Company bad to purchase hides at (hose high prices, and incurred great losses, because, in view of the rise, tin' petitioner was foroed to choose between closing its works, and causing a great amount of unemployment-, and dislocating an important industrv. on the one baud: and the raising of its prices for its manufactured goods to such an extent as materially to increase the cost of living in Now Zealand on the other hand. The Commission was instructed to report whether the petitioning Company bail suffered damage or injury in respect of the matters alleged in the petition, and if so, what amount of compensation the petitioner should in fairness and good conscience be allowed as such compensation.

During the hearing certain matters were introduced to which the Crown objected, a.s lieiog outside tho scope of the Commission, but the Commissioner decided to hear them, leaving it for further consideration whether lie would bring in a separate finding on these points. On all the questions before the Commission, Mr Justice Hosking found against the petitioner. On the question whether, apart from the matters objected to the Company has suffered injury or damage in respect- of the matters alleged in the petition under circumstances, which, in fairness and good conscience entitles it to compensation from public funds, Mr Justice Ho-sking says;—. “I have come to the conclusion, and find that no such injury or damage has been suffered by the petitioning company.” The report adds: On the matters objected to as stated as not falling within the scope of the Commission. I have come to a similar conclusion, and T find that tho Company has not suffered injury or damage, which, in fairness and fiood conscience, entitles it to compensation from the public funds.