DEMOCRAT FINANCE

Evening Star, Issue 22457, 30 September 1936, Page 12

DEMOCRAT FINANCE

PARTY ORGANISER'S ACTION TO-DAY'S EVIDENCE [Pek United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 30. Further evidence was heard to-day in the case in which Harry Charles Baulf is proceeding against officials of thq former Democrat Party. Continuing his evidence this morning, Donald said that Miss Foster, his secretary, who gave evidence yesterday, was lent to the party. Cross-examined by Mr Dickson, witness said: Certainly I considered Baulf had a moral claim for money owing him. “ Do you think Hislop should pay it? ” asked Mr Dickson. ■ Witness: 1 understand that there is sufficient of the party’s money in Hislop’s possession to meet the claim. I consider Hislop should pay into the party the money he holds, as it belongs to the party. Mr Dickson: If the party cannot pay, then the plaintiff should go without the money owing to him? Witness: A ease may be brought into court over the funds of the party now held in Wellington. I consider the plaintiff’s claim should be considered then.

Witness added that the party owed him close on £4OO. Tho £1,500 overdraft had been paid, but not the interest. He had looked to the central executive in Wellington for repayment of the moneys paid by him. Davy, and Clark had control of the money in Wellington. “ I never promised to pay Baulf,” said witness. “ I promised to do my best to see that he was paid.” It was possible that he assured Baulf that his account would be paid, but that would have to wait until the Wellington executive authorised payment. The only meeting that witness attended in Wellington was in May of this year. Davy had said that Baulf wouli have to float or sink with the P ar ty- . Replying to Mr Dickson, witness said that the account for £SO owing to Baulf was passed for payment by the Auckland committee, but he did not think it was paid. It was little use writing letters to Wellington, as they were not answered. Most of the business was done by telephone. Had the Wellington executive done its part some considerable donations would have been received by the Auckland committee, instead of which Auckland had to pay some accounts which should have been paid from Wellington. Mr Dickson: What have you done with the books? You got control of the room and the books. Witness: Do you suggest that I have them ?

Mr Dickson: Either you or your young lady witness. I am sorry that you take up this attitude. I would like to get hold of those books myself. Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M.: I can understand that many people would bo interested in seeing that those books disappeared. Many people who had been connected with the party whose names appeared in those books would wish to conceal the fact after the party had failed, so as to be able to transfer interests elsewhere. Donald said it was two or three, months after the election that he changed the keys. The furniture was still in the room. He did not know what was the legal position. Cross-examined by Mr North, appearing for Goodfellow, witness said that when Davy’s attention was drawn to the amount owing to Baulf Davy refused to approve of payment of the whole amount, but part payment was made.