N.S.W. GRAFT CHARGES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 60, 4 December 1920, Page 9

N.S.W. GRAFT CHARGES

ALLEGATIONS BY MRS , GEORGESON.

(Rec. December 3, 7.15 p.m.)

Sydney, December 8. Mr. Johnston, giving evidence at the inquiry into the allegations of graft in connection with the wheat scaud'al, said that Talbot assisted liiui financially in the election, campaigns... He acknowledged receiving .£SOO from Talbot for his personal election expenses,, but denied | that there was any compact or arrangement as suggested in - regard to other members of the party. Mr. G. Cann, Minister of Worksy gave evidence than .Mrs.' Georgeson saw him, and complained regarding the harsh terms which Mr. Storey was using respecting her husband over the wheat inquiry. Mrs. Georgeson alleged that an understanding had been reached, between Johnston and Dooley that .£SOO should bo given for election expenses,-on the tin-, (let-standing that Georgeson should not bo further proceeded against. , She also stated that •an undertaking had been given through a go-between that Mr. Storey would agree to this arrangement. If Georgeson were forced into courif she intended to bring the matter before the commission, or would get a Nationalist member to move amotion of censure on the Government to bring tho maiter out. Mr. Cann said he understood that J2500 was paid out of the Georgeson-Talbot estate.—Pre§s Assn. (Rec. December 3, 11.20. p.m.) , Sydney, December 3. At the graft inquiry Mrs. Georgeson gave evidence. She said she had not given money to anybody to have the Wheat Commission stopped, nor had anybody made overtures to lier. When her husband became ill all his papers wero handed to his solicitor. ' In ropiy to the question: Did she tell Mr. Cann the pancrs that -,£sfio had been paid by Talbot to a member of tho Labour Party? She replied: "I had no papers. This money was given after my husband became ill." She added that Talbot told her that he gave .£SOO. She answered tJiat she would not be a party.to-giving money in that way. She supposed Talbot gave the money because lie wanted to make a donation. Georgeson's solicitor gave evidence that not a farthing during the lasil three years had been paid improperly out nf Georgeson's account.—Press Assn.