"GRAFT" ALLEGATIONS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2406, 11 March 1915, Page 6

"GRAFT" ALLEGATIONS

AUSTRALIAN WHEAT ACT

FURTHER EVIDENCE

By Tclezrach—Pi cgs. Association—Oooyrieht Sydney, March 10. Before the Royal Commission which is inquiring into the allegations ..of "graft"' in connection with the Wheat Act, Mr. Campbell, secretary_ of the Farmers' and Settlers' Association, gave evidence that he had frequently heard rumours in the grain trade that bribery had been employed to secure the passage of the Wheat Acquisition Bill. One rumour was to the effect that Mr. Holman, the State- Premier, had received £6000. The witness carefully explained that he did not'believe the rumour.

The Commissioner insisting on further details, Mr. Campbell supplied'the name of the person who had mentioned Mr. Holman. Tho witness added that it nas said in Sydney that the millers had made big contributions to get the Bill passed, and that a lot of money had been distributed in Parliament.

Nicholas Mutton, a commission agent, gave evidence, as to the securing of the services of a solicitor, Mr. Drew, to fight the question of the cancellation . of contracts. It had been agreed to pay bim £500, but they had paid him £300. He denied the allegations that they had been asking the 'farmers to subscribe to the solicitor's expenses, and that he had made it appear that a large sum was necessary to purchase: legislation by corruption and bribery, and that the politicians could be bought.