THE FISHER CHARGES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1530, 11 August 1905, Page 2

THE FISHER CHARGES.

THE PREMIER OBDEES AN INVESTIGATION.

PUBLIC OFFICEBS BE SENT FISHEB’S BEFLEOTION.

(Per P«esa Association.) I Wellington, last night. 11 On the House meeting at 2.30 Mr J. B. Heywood (Secretary to tho Treasury), Mr B. J. Collins (Assistant Secretary to the Treasury), and Mr T. F. Grey (Acting I Und'r-Seerotary for Defence) presented a petition through the Premier on the subieot of the allegod payment of between j £7O and £BO to Captain Seddon for reorganising defence stores. I Tho petition sot out the foots relating to 1 the Sneddon voucher, and said they had | satisfied themselves that no trace of any I euch payment could be found, as they I have already certified. They regarded it as I a grave reflection on their integrity the I statement that they oonld not be expected to report adversely to the Government, I and stated that if any suoh payment had been made it could not fail to be dis- | covered. They said the statement I nmountod to a charge of deliberate dishonesty, and they therefore prayed that the Auditor General be directed to enquire and report as to the acouracy of their certificate. The Premior moved that the AuditorGeneral be directed to make the enquiry, the investigation to cover the whole poriod of Captain Seddon’s connection with the Defence Department. Speaking to the motion, the Premier said this course was taken in view of what might be said in future against Captain Seddon. If they could not trust their highest officers all confidence was shaken, and it would be shaken unless this matter was pursued further. Mr Massey said be w»s glad tho Premier and his officers intended to take steps to meet the charges made. Mr Fisher congratulated the Premier on taking whet he believed to be tho proper course. A discussion lasting nearly the whole afternoon took place. An amendment by Mr Buchanan to mako the enquiry oovor “ all payments ” made to Captain Seddon was negatived by 40 to 23, and Mr Soddon’s motion waß agreed to on the voioas.