Federal Minister Figures In Sensational Case

Chronicle (Levin), 15 May 1948, Page 5

Federal Minister Figures In Sensational Case

Received Friday, 7.20 p.m. SYDNEY, May 14. A statement that he paid the Minister of External Territories (Hon. E. J. Ward) £5000 in £10 not.es on the afternoon of December 3, 1945, was rnade by John Smith Garden in the witness box at the Darlinghurst quartqr sessions today. Garden added that Ward said: "Take this to Eill Urquhart at Newtown and he will know what to do with it." Later in his evidence Garden admitted that he signed "II. J. Forsliaw" on a letter 011 which the cliarge of forgery against him is based, and that he Rubstituted the third page of this letter He elaimed to have done this with the knowledge and sanction of the Minister. Garden denied that at an interview with the iMinister on December 15, 1947, he said: "1 ara a goner." He Baid that Ward said: "If it comes out that I am involved, 1 am a goner. I will denv evervthing that has happened since We started it." Garden said in evidence that he received £5000 from Farrell in a brown paper parcel and £1000 in another parcel which was in the nature of a loan to his son who was starting business. He saw Ward in his offiee late that afternoon and showed him the £5000. Later, on Ward's instructions, he handed the money over to a man called Urquhart. Defendant detailed diseussions between himself and Ward eoncerning the granting of the timber lease in Kew Guinea. The outcome of these and of interviews between Garden and forestry ofificials over the area.referred to was that private companies would be excluded. Ward, however, assured Garden that Parer would receive a concession in Bulolo. After his return from overseas Ward said to Garden: "Bulolo is out," and with Forshaw thcy discussod another area. The following week Garden received a letter which he passed on to the Minister, but which was returned unopened. Garden opened it and found that it was a three-page letter from Forshaw the third page of which contained refer* ences to Ilancock and Gore and he redrafted that page. He did this because Ihe Minister had instructed liim to keep all reference to tliat iirm out of the Korrespondence. His draft was later approved by Ward who, however, sug gested that Fqrshaw should sign it, Garden communicated with Fo"rshaw, who told him that anything that was lone would be satisfactory. Garden then signed the letter with Forshaw 's name. On December 15, 1947; Ward confronted Garden witil the letter and later said: "Forshaw md other people know too much. If it is known that I am in it there will be trouble for me."