THE CEMENT INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1921, Page 5

THE CEMENT INQUIRY.

AIR. MASTER’S VIEWS. CAN PROVE ALL CHARGES. 4 . • ■ . ' 4 > Mr. Masters, M.P. for Stratford, who in the House made the charges againsfe the Board of Trade, the Government/ and the Cement Trust, or combine, wa* interviewed by a Times reporter re the order of reference for the Commission of Inquiry. Mr. Masters asserts that the order of reference is far too limited in its scope, and that it appears to be made with a view to burke a full inquirysuch as the public require in their own interests. Referring to the sections ot the order in detail, Mr. Masters pointed otit that the scope of inquiry is limited to the period between January 1, 1920, and March, 1921; whereas, for the purpose of considering the companies’ procedure it was necessary to go back to January, 1918, because his charges referred to transactions on that date. He further pointed out that In clause (1) the inquiry was limited to the question of the maximum retail price in New Zealand, whilst his charges were specially directed against the wholesale prices, and in no portion of his speech did he refer to the retail prices at Wellington of £9 13s 6d per ton; or any othei- retail prices, as stated in this section. In fact, in reply to the Minister, he stated distinctly that the basis of his charges was the price charged at the works. Another point raised by Mr. Masters was that while he emphatically stated there had been a restraint of trade, no mention in plain terms of this charge is found" in the Ministerial order of reference. Instead the Minister in clause (3) ask« whether the transaction or agreement constituted an offence against he Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, while everyone knew full well that an offence was only possible under the provisions ot that Act if the commodity concerned was specifically mentioned in the schedule of the Act, and cement was not so mentioned. Tn conclusion, Mr. Masters said he made the charges solely in the public interest, and only an inquiry of the fullest scope and widest order of reference will satisfy him. If those ara given then (he says) he will undertake to prove every charge made.