SERIOUS CHARGES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1854, 13 September 1913, Page 5

SERIOUS CHARGES.

MR. WADE'S ATTACK ON LABOUI MINISTER. CENSURE MOTION DEFEATED! By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydnoy, September 12. Continuing his attack on tho lato Minister for Public Works in connection with his motion of censure, Mr. i Wade, Loader of tho Opposition,; charged Mr, Griffith with purchasing land at Mcdlow under assumed names, the land being in stich a position that' it must liavo increased in value sooner or later by tho carrying out of certain, public works—namely, ail overhead: bridge over the railway line, and diversion of the main road, Tlio sccond charge was founded, on a communication made to Mr. 'Wado by A. J. Hi ley, a city dtrapor, that Mr. Griffith belonged to a land syndicate which had bought tlio lease of premises .in Goorgo Street by Riloy, and the lease, of which he had tried to resell to Riloy it a high figure. . Mr. Wade alleged that tlio negotiations had occurred wheal tlio site of an underground station, connected with the city railway scheme," was'changed to a spot in close proximity to Riley's shop. Tlio gravamen of Mr. Wade's attack under tho next three heads—namely, tho Rookwood-Banlctown, railway, Din's Point timber yards, and the BrookvalcNarrabeen train —was that Mr. Griffith had deliberately ignored tho necessity for referring those questions to tho Public Works Committee, each having cost abovo £20,000. Mr. Wade alleged that in each instance they had tlio samo sinister circumstances of certain persons owning land whicli must bo improved by those undertakings. Hie same people, under tho sixth item, owned land which was benefited by tlio Government's purchase of the suspension! brid'go and the extension of tho tram in tha vicinity. Mr. Griffith, replying,_ denied tlio first two charges categorioally'. As to tho others, ho referred anyone to tho finding of tlio Royal Commission, which found in effect that while Mr. Henley, under cover, of privilege of the House, had charged him with corrupt ion., ha I (Mr. Henley) had not had tho courago to repeat it on oath. Tho censure motion was negatived by 38 votes to 31. During the debate Mr. Wood (who has" been treated similarly more' than ones) was removed by tho Speaker's orders. • PAIR RENTS BILL. (Rec. September 12, 9.15 p.m.)' Sydney, September 12. The Assembly, after an all-night eftting, passed tho Fair Rents Bill through Committee.