POLITICAL SENSATION

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1928, Page 4

POLITICAL SENSATION

ATTEMPT TO BRIBE CHIEF SECRETARY.

(Australian Press Association) (United .Service).

SYDNEY, Doc. 4

A case of pines and an envelope containing two one-hundred pound notes, it is alleged, were placed on tiio table before .Mr Bruntnell, Chief Secretary, some days ago by a prominent Nationalist member on behalf of an Ashfield constituent. The incident has now developed into a first class political sensation. The Premier, Air Bavin, to-day directed the Crown law authorities Lo prosecute the person alleged to have been responsible for an attempt to bribe the Chief Secretary. 'File Premier is of tlie opinion that the two hundred pounds was evidently intended to influence the Chief Secretary to favour a certain proposal. Mr Bavin is desirous of dispelling the illusion at once that Ministers are open to corruption. Air Bruntnell at the outset felined the gifts, and directed a departmental attendant to return them immediately. The Nationalist member liad left the room. It was then that the innocent envelope containing the two hundred pounds was discovered, secreted beneath a case of pipes.

CHAR GIB AGAINST OMNIBUS PROPRIETOR.

SYDNEY, Dec. 4

Detectives to-night served a summons on a suburban omnibus proprietor, whose name was not disclosed, charging him with attempting to bribe Mr Bnintnell.