THE SUGAR COMMISSION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8, 7 May 1912, Page 5

THE SUGAR COMMISSION.

AN APOLOGY FOR MR. KNOX FROM THE CHAIRMAN. ANOTHER DEADLOCK. Sydney, May 6. At the Sugar Commission the chairman announced that in view of certain facts which had been publised, Mr Knox evidently believed that he had grounds for the accusation he made against the commissioner. Therefore, he (the chairman) withdrew the terms with which he characterised Mr Knox's accusation when he said that it was "a deliberate lie." Whatever Mr Knox's belief, however, the charge was baseless. He then called Mr Knox and the other directors of the Sugar Company, all of whom failed to respond. The chairman stated that he would now leave the matter in the hands of the Federal Government, and adjourned th sitting till Thursday.

Mr Knox forwarded a letter stating that he would appear when he had an" assurance that the statement tendered by him would be received an full as part of the records of the commission, and when a record of the evidence already taken was supplied to him and time and opportunity given for replying to it. Later the chairman of the company wrote, stating that the absence of himself and his co-directors was a protest against the treatment the companv and the general manager had received at the hands of the commission. They were prepared to attend if, after Mr Knox lias presented the company's case and had opportunity of replying to the evidence already taken, the commissioners were still of the opinion that a useful purpose would be served.

Mr Hughes, Attorney-General, stated that lie had given instructions for certain steps to be taken.