Royal Commission in connection with Sugar Purchases by the Commonwealth through Mr. W. E. Davies in September and October, 1920
Royal Commission in connection with sugar purchases by the Commonwealth through Mr. W. E. Davies in September and October, 1920 · Sugar Purchases Royal Commission
24 August 1923 – 27 September 1923
A one-man commission that inquired whether any gift or consideration had been offered to or received by Commonwealth employees in connection with sugar bought by the Commonwealth through W. E. Davies in 1920.
How it came into existence
Appointed by Letters Patent dated 24 August 1923 by the Bruce government, after the purchases had been criticised in Parliament and examined in part by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts in 1922. The transactions were purchases of 1,000 tons on 8 September, 5,000 tons on 1 October and 10,000 tons on 8 October 1920 from James Nash and W. E. Davies. After the government failed to obtain a High Court or Supreme Court judge, Sir Edward Mitchell, a leading Melbourne barrister, was appointed commissioner.
Changes during its life
- 27 March 1924Report laid before Parliament.
How it ended
His report, dated 27 September 1923, ended the commission; it was laid before Parliament on 27 March 1924.
Main functions
- Commonwealth sugar purchases of September and October 1920
- Whether any gift or consideration was given to Commonwealth employees
Lineage
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