WHEAT REGULATIONS

Southland Times, Issue 18846, 11 June 1920, Page 6

WHEAT REGULATIONS

ALLEGED BREACHES. HEAVY PENALTIES CLAIMED. (Per United Press Association.) DUNEDIN, June 10. In the Supreme Court, before Mr Justice Sim to-day, A. Steven and Co. were sued by the Crown for penalties for alleged breach of the regulations in respect to sales of wheat. Mr W. G. MacGregor, K.C., appeared for the Crown and Messrs Skerrett, K.C., and A. S. Adams for the defendants, A. Steven and Co. and William Josiah Love. The statement of claim set forth that Love ifi a large shareholder and also managing director of the defendant company, personally controlling the company’s business and personally responsible for the wholesale buying and selling of grain. The maximum price was fixed on February’ 25, 1919, by Order-in-Council for all wheal grown in New Zealand, such Order remaining in force, the rate for free wheat inferior in quality and good milling wheat being 6s 8d a bushel. After Last October the defendants sold large quantities of such wheat at prices exceeding 6s Bd, the excess prices ranging from 7s 6d to 8s 6d. The alleged offences were the sale of 339 bushels at 7s Gd to Hitchinson’s (Auckland) ; 167 bushels to the same firm at 8s; 336 bushels to the same firm at Ss 3d; 167 bushels at 8s 6d; to Roach’s (Hastings) 345 bushels at. Ss 6d; to A. S. Paterson (Wellington) 333 bushels at 8s 6d; to Burch and Co. (Wellington), 333 bushels at 8s 6d; to Lacry and Co. (Wellington), same quantity at the same price; and to the, Ixmn and .Mercantile Agency Co. (Wellington) 841 bushels at 7s 3d, and 798 bushels at 7s 6d. A penally of £SOO was claimed in respect of each offence.

Defendants’ .statement admitted the sales but mentioned that the prices included sacks.