MORE MARCONI.
MR. IRVINE'S RETAINER.
PUBLIC DUTY AND PRIVATE INTERESTS. CONFLICT DENIED. By Tekgraph—Preiß Association—Ocpyritht Melbourne, August 23. In tho Federal Houso of Representatives, Mr. W. H. Irvino, tho AttorneyGeneral, replied to the attack made on him by Mr. C. E.' Frazer (ex-Postmas-ter-General) regarding his professional connection, as a barrister, with tho Marconi Wireless Telegraphy Company. Mr. Frazer had declared that Mr. Irvine had no right to continue to hold a retainer from tho Marconi Company when it was still accusing tho Commonwealth Government of infringing its patent rights.
Mr. Irvine said that Mr. Frazer seemed to think' that tho acceptanco of a retainer involved somo confidential arrangement between tho company giving the retainer and counsel accepting it. Nothing was more absurd. A general retainer did not bind counsel with regard to tho acceptanco of a brief if thero wore any reason whatever —pu'olio or private—which might embarrass him. Ho had no more relations with tho Marconi Company than with other gentlemen who had given him general retainers. He owed no duty to them except that ho had to givo them notice before he accepted a brief in an action against them. Tho point raised by Mr. Frazer involved tho whole question that a man could not accept any position in a Ministry unless he altogether divested himself of any interest of any kind which might come in conflict with any decision he might, have to givo as a Minister.
Sir. Frazer considered that the Marconi Company had first claim on Mr. Irvine's services, not merely uhat ho had to givo notice before he appeared against it.
Mr. Fisher, leader of the Opposition, said the Houso would have to decide whether Ministers should allow their private, interests to affect their publio duties.
Tho Prime Minister (Mr. Cook) declared that Mr. Irvine had absolutely cut his connection with tho Marconi Companv, and returned his briefs. Tho Houso adjourned till Tuesday next.
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Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1837, 25 August 1913, Page 7
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320MORE MARCONI. Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1837, 25 August 1913, Page 7
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