SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST TASMANIAN PREMIER

Chronicle (Levin), 3 December 1947, Page 5

SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST TASMANIAN PREMIER

Received Tnesdav, 8.10 p.m. IIOBART, I)ec. 2. An inquiry into allegations that the Ureu.ier of Tasmania. M r. 'osgro\ e, took £-.p,o i,, lu-ilies from road transport opi-rators. \\ :i ^ o[iened by the Royal t 'oininissioner, A I r. Justiee Read, today. It was stated that .M r. Cos grove wouhl deny on oatli that he had received monev from any road transport operator or that he had given tnn assnranee against road transport natioualisation. The comniission was appointed following eharges made in Parliament by the Opposition Leader, Mr. X. Camploll. Mr. S. ('. Burlmry, coun.se] assisting the eonmiissioner. said tliat .1. T. Sullivan, proprietor of a road transport service between Launceston and the northeast coast, alleged that monev was paid 1 iy liini personallv to the I'reinier in noti-s lu'tween December, 1DI4, and Jnne. 1917, in half-yearly payments of £90(J each and timi the payments were made for tlie henefit of Party fund.s iu return for an assnranee tliat he and other operators would not he ])ut off tlie road by CJoveniment operated se'"\ices. Tlie hearing, is proceeding. The verdict will lmve au important bearing on ihe struggle against the general nationalisafion of banking as tlie Labour Co verninent under ATr. Cos.giove has a majoritv of oue iu the T.owei Ilouse aiid is in a minority in tlie legislative Council. Au adverse decision would almost cerlainly bring a general election with Ihe probability of Tasmaiiia joiiiing Victoria, West Australia and South Australia in op])osition to tlie banltMi"' legislation.