More Allegations Against Federal Minister

Chronicle (Levin), 26 February 1949, Page 5

More Allegations Against Federal Minister

'N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter.

Received Friday, 7.30 p.m. S YDNEY. Feb. 25.

CovvriQfii

Harcourt Garden, son of John Smith Garden, to-day told the Xew Guinea Royal Comiuissian that the Minister of External Territories (Mr. Ward), had instituted proceedings against Gardeu j seriior only after Ward had an opport tunity of getting rid of cei'taiu papers. | This statement followed an appeal tc | the Commissioner (Mr. Ju.stice Ligertwood) to be questioned about the relationship betweeu Ward and Garden senior. Harcourt Garden said that Ward owed his position to Garden senior'who taught Ward, Evatt and Beasley politieal economy. Witness told the Commission how his father asked him to dummy for Ward. Ile had no curiosity concerning the purpose of the syndicate as he trusted his father implicitly. Meanwhile in Parliament to-day a move to extend the terms of the New Guinea Commi.ssi.pn was ruled out by Speaker Rosevear. The Qpposition iead-

er (Mr. Menzies) proposed an amendment to a Government Bill to facilitate the proceedings of the Commission. The amendement sought an in-, vestigation iuto whether Ward obtain ed or assisted in obtaining any eontract concession or benefit for Sydney Pincombe Proprietary Limited, into the conduct of William Urquhart and into the disappearance of A. A., Kingsford, a bank elerk. Epeaker Rosevear ruled out the anmndment as outside the seope of the Bill. The debate was gaggpd by 28 to 21 011 the motion of Mr. VV. J. Scully. and the second reading of the Bill was then cqX'ied oii the voices.