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BANKRUPTCY ACT.
REPLY TO MR. NAIRN.
Chamber of Commerce Views.
A reply to comments made by the
chairman of the Federal Bankruptcy
Committee (Mr. W. M. Nairn, M-H.R.)
In an article in yesterday's issue of "The
West Australian" dealing with the Fede
ral Bankruptcy Act was made last night
by the acting president (Mr. J. L. Paton)
at a meeting of the Perth Chamber of
Commerce. In the article Mr. Nairn re
ferred to matters which had been dis
cussed at a meeting between him and
members of a special sub-committee of
the chamber.
"The article appears to insinuate." said
Mr. Paton, "that the chamber is really
expressing the views of the trustee mem
bers and not of the chamber as a whole.
There may even be the inference that
the trustee members are inclined to look
after their own interests as opposed to
the broader issues.
"We feel that Mr. Nairn has not
treated the chamber fairly, and he has
apparently failed to appreciate the fact
that it. is the chamber and not the
trustee members which is expressing
these views.
"The report which was placed before
Mr. Nairn was compiled by the com
mittee of the Associated Chambers of
Commerce of Australia in Melbourne,
which comprised many leading business
men of the Commonwealth. The Cham
ber of Commerce is particularly con
cerned with the proper administration of
the Act and with the rights of mer
chants and storekeepers who become in
volved in bankruptcy estates, which
should be preserved. The chambers are
neither in favour of the administration
being placed solely in the hands of the
Bankruptcy Department or the trustees,
and are endeavouring to have a work
able bankruptcy code enacted.
"The chamber is indeed pleased to
hear that Mr. Nairn intends to place
many of the points raised by the chamber
before the Attorney-General for favour
able consideration."
Mr. Paton's views were endorsed by
the meeting.
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