MINISTER AND CONTRACTORS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1525, 22 August 1912, Page 5

MINISTER AND CONTRACTORS.

, MALADMINISTRATION ALLEGED. By TelcErapli—Press Association- CoDrrieht Sydney, August 21. Mr. Parkcs made further charges in the Legislative Assembly to-ilay against Ihc administration of the Works Department. He alleged that the contractors had lost .C 83.000 over the North Coast Railway, yet Mr. Griffiths, Minister for Works, had relieved the contractors of their obligations, and also returned their deposits, amounting to .£20,000, thus saddling the country with a. loss of over ,£BO,OOO. Jlr. Griffiths, in reply, said the contractors were claiming large sums abovo what they had received, and the Courts would decido whether they had received enough. The assumption that they had been overpaid was utterly untrue. • \ ■* ADJOURNED SINE DIE. (Rec. August 21, 11.5 p.m.) Sydney, August 21. Messrs. Parkes and Henley were present before tho Royal Commission, which is inquiring into their charges against (ho Minister for Works. Jtr. Parkes said the Commission had been appointed to inquire into charges of corruption, which lie. had not made. Hβ would not give evidence, but was prepared to submit evidence on charges of reckless administration, and he asked that the scope of the Commission should be enlarged to cover this. Mr,-, Henley's counsel took a 6imilar stand. Tho Commissioner characterised Mr. Parkes's speech in the House as political criticism, not imputing corruption or want of integrity on the'part of Mr. Griffith. / Counsel for Mr. Griffith suggested that the Commissioner should take tho position of prosecutor, seeing that thoso who niado tho charges had withdrawn. The Commissioner promised to consider the situation, and adjourned sine die.