FINANCING ELECTION

Evening Star, Issue 22447, 18 September 1936, Page 14

FINANCING ELECTION

THE DEMOCRAT CAMPAIGN ORGANISER CLAIMS SALARY [Pek United Pukss Association.] AUCKLAND, September 17. The hearing of the claim of Harry Charles Battlf against the former Democrat Party leaders was resumed in the Magistrate’s Court before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M. Robert Alexander Denny, insurance inspector, said that Davy had approached him to tell him he was forming a new party. “He asked me would I be in. 1 said ‘ Yes, provided the finances are all right.’ ” At a subsequent meeting the organisation known as the Democrat Party was formed, and in April or June, 1935, witness became treasurer and a member of the Auckland committee. He acted in an honorary capacity. Baulf was supposed to put in statements of his accounts fortnightly. Those statements were put before the committee, of which Mr Donald was chairman. Baulf had raised the question of money owing to him before Donald, and Donald had said that it would be paid, but that Baulf would have to wait. It was generally understood that the money would come from Wellington. Baulf had asked at various times about the money, and had always been told it woul|t be paid. The accuracy of the figures had not, to witness’s knowledge, ever been challenged. “Where are the books now?” asked Mr Dickson, referring to the question of accounts. “ Oh, I don’t know. I last saw them in a drawer in the desk in the office,” said witness. “ Where did you receive money from to run this organisation?” “ Except for the last cheque for £3OO, and it was received direct from Wellington,- it was banked by Donald. Presumably it came from Wellington.” Under cross-examination- by Mr North, witness said that Goodfellow’s early advances to cover salaries were in the nature of advances to the organisation to put it on its feet. Witness said that he knew nothing of any refunds to Goodfellow of money he had advanced. Donald had paid into the Auckland trust account at the bank approximately £SO in June, £75 in July, and £125 in August. Witness was not aware where the money was coming from. They were to have, received £IOO a month from Wellington. Replying to Mr North, witness said that Baulf put in a' list of his expenses each month. He was paid irregularly. Denny was questioned by counsel concerning the books of the organisation. They had been kept, he said, by Miss Foster. He had asked about the books following the election, and had been told that she did not know where they were. Spencer Bruce Clark, public accountant, of Wellington, said he had become interested in the party some months after its inception. He was appointed Dominion secretary on March 26, 1935. When further questions had been put regarding the finances of the party, Mr Wyvern Wilson remarked: “It doesn’t look as though they had unearthed anyone to be Minister of Finance.” Mr Dickson: In the shadow Cabinet Mr Donald was to be Minister of Finance. Witness said that £IOO a month was to have been paid to Auckland, but it was not always paid regularly, and to his knowledge the Dominion executive had never objected to Banff’s claim. Mr Dickson: If Hislop had handed over the balance of the £3,200, what would have happened to these ac-counts?-—These accounts would have been paid. Under questioning by Mr North concerning the evidence of Hislop heard in Wellington, witness said that it was definitely organisation money. “ I have no doubt of it,” he said. Mr North: Did you object to £I,OOO going to him ? At this Mr Elliot objected on the ground of irrelevancy. Mr North was allowed to continue. Witness, answering, said that he did not approve. The hearing was adjourned till Tuesday week.