W
2
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1974
RICE CONTROL SCHEME
DIRECTOR ANSWERS ALLEGATIONS AGA INST
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY STAFF
MR. DAVID JORDAN, DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S RICE CONTROL SCHEME, HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.
+REPORTS HAVE APPEARED IN SOME NEWSPAPERS SUGGESTING THAT OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT HAVE ACCUSED RICE MERCHANTS OF PROVIDING FALSE RETURNS WITH THE INTENTION OF 'CLACKMAILING' THEN. THE REPORT ALSO STATED THAT THE ICAC VAS INVESTIGATING THESE ALLEGATIONS AND TAPPING THE HOME AND OFFICE TELEPHONES OF THE OFFICERS CONCERNED.
+1 DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THE ICAC IS TAKING ANY SUCH ACTION BUT I DO KNOW THAT IF THESE OFFICERS DID NOT CHECK IMPORTERS' RETURNS AND ASK THEM TO EXPLAIN ANY DISCREPANCIES IN THE FIGURES THEY WOULD BE FAILING IN THEIR DUTY.
+ IF ANY RICE IMPORTER HAS ANY COMPLAINT TO MAKE ABOUT THE ACTIONS OF ANY OFFICER OF THIS DEPARTMENT HE CAN MAKE HIS COMPLAINT DIRECT TO ME, AT ANY TIME.
+NO ONE HAS MADE ANY SUCH COMPLAINT TO ME OR TO ANY SENIOR OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT.
+AT THE SAME TIME, I SHOULD SAY THAT I BELIEVE THAT THE OFFICERS CONCERNED ARE DOING THEIR DUTY IN A CONSCIENTIOUS MANNER AND THAT I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ACE ACTING IMPROPERLY IN ANY WAY.
+ IN ANY CASE, I PERSONALLY TAKE ALL THE MAJOR DECISIONS INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION OF THE RICE CONTROL ECHENE. NO ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST ANYONE IN THE TRADE, UNATEVER THE ALLEGATION THAT DAY DE HADE, VITHOUT MY PERSONAL APPROVAL.
+FINALLY, I SHOULD SAY THAT IT IS THE VERY OFFICERS AGAINST WHOM THESE ANONYMOUS ALLEGATIONS ARE NOU MADE, WHO HAVE BEEN RESPONS IDLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE HEASURES THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN, SINCE THE EARLY NOUTHS OF THIS YEAR, TO ASSURE THE PUBLIC OF THEIR SUPPLIES OF RICE, TO PREVENT SPECULATION AND PROFITEERING AND TO CONTROL PRICES AND PROFITS.+
13