OBJECTED TO ANSWER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 312, 29 June 1912, Page 6

OBJECTED TO ANSWER

INCIDENT AT COST OF LIVING COMMISSION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Thursday. A! rather unlooked-for development took place at the deliberations of the Cost of Living Commission to-day; when the cross-examination of Mr. G. C. Garlick, furniture warehouseman, was tak- *. ing place, owing to witness objecting to (answer questions that were being subI mitted to him. | Mr. Fairbairn asked if when goods were sold on time payments there were bailments, and the seller never parted' with his property until the last payment ' was made. Mr. Garlick: I am not prepared to answer that question. It has nothing to ( do with the cost of living. I have been advised not to answer that question. " We don't wish to probe into your affairs." "It is probing into our private business." "I think you said you did not sell on time payments?" "I did." "And now you arc not prepared to answer the question?" " I have given the answer r No.'" "Don't you sell furniture on bailments?" "I refuse to answer that question." Mr. Veitch: "Your business is protected by the tariff. Why Should that tariff not be removed?" "I..can't give any reason." ' Mr. Fairbairn: ""You state that the rise. in. wages has led to an increase in the 1 -price of furniture?" l "Yes." "Rut the increased cost of timber has had the same effect?" "Yes, naturally." "What is "the extra cost due to? Increase in wages,?" "I could' not answer that question." [ "Could you get the information?" ! "I don't feel called upon to get it f either.r * Mr.' iFaifbnirn: "I think the Commis- ' sion had'hefter go into committee to dis- ; cuss this' matter." ' This Was agreed to; and Mr. Garlick t left (he Yoom. I Thra afternoon Mr. A. P. Entrican atr tended before the Commission and said ,' he had appeared in answer to a suml mbns' but he must decline to give evi- . dence'. r ' ' The chairman: "Have you any reasons?" : Mr. Entrican: "Yes, I am a memhor |. of the Federated Merchants of New TJen- , land, and at the .instigation of a member of the Commission a case is pending at J the court in which I am defendant. In those circumstances I must decline to ' give evidence." f The chairman: "Very well. We, accept " your explanation."