H—27a

1946 NEW ZEALAND

REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION TO INQUIRE INTO AND REPORT UPON CERTAIN MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS ASSETS BY THE WAR ASSETS REALIZATION BOARD

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Command of His Excellency

Royal Commission to Inquire into and Rejport wpon certain Matters arising out of the Acquisition and Disposal of Surplus Assets by the War Assets Realization Board

George the Sixth by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith: To Our Trusty and Well-beloved James Rankin Bartholomew, Esquire, C.M.G., LL.B., of Dunedin : Greeting. Whereas it has been alleged that the acquisition and disposal of certain assets —namely, the motor-vehicles made available to the War Assets Realization Board constituted under the War Assets Realization Board Regulations 1945 by a declaration by the United States Joint Purchasing Board dated the 24th day of October, 1945 —has not been carried out by the War Assets Realization Board carefully, diligently, in a businesslike and efficient manner, and with faithfulness to the interests of the State : And whereas We have deemed it expedient that a Commission should issue to inquire into the circumstances of such acquisition and disposal: Now know ye that We, reposing trust and confidence in your impartiality, integrity, and ability, do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint you, the said James Rankin Bartholomew to be a Commission to inquire into the proceedings of the War Assets Realization Board in relation to the acquisition and disposal of the said assets, and into the question whether the members and officers