“GRAFT” INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1928, Page 1

“GRAFT” INQUIRY

(Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, June 12. The inquiry instituted by the F'cdera! Government on Mr Lambert's charges that certain Federal members of Parliament had been offered money to vacate seats, has resumed. Ylr Windeyer. counsel for Mr Theodore, said that if the inquiry went beyond a certain point, he would advise his.client not to answer questions, and he would also raise the question of the Commission’s validity. Senator Walter Leslie Duncan was the first witness. He recounted remarks made by Coleman, in the course of which he had referred to monetary inducements being offered to members of the House of Representatives to resign. Witness said that lie did not think that Coleman had any idea of injuring Mr Theodore, nor did he understand that any money was to come from Mr Theodore. Senator Duncan added that he saw nothing wrong in a member giving up his seat to suit the exigencies of his party, if it were done in a proper manner. George Canii,.an ex-member of theHouse of Representatives, gave evidence that Coleman told him that an attractive offer was made by one, Mahoney. on behalf of Mr Theodore, to enable the latter to secure a seat. Cater, when witness (Cann) was to he run by the Nationalists against Coleman. the latter said that he would do his’ utmost to put dirt over him. He (Cann) replied that all confidences 1 were off. and that he intended in 1 future to speak the truth, no matter It hurt,