MUNGANA VERDICT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1931, Page 5

MUNGANA VERDICT

FULL VINDICATION ON EVERY ISSUE. JURY’S ANSWER. (Australian Press Association.) BRISBANE, August 24. In the Mungana case the jury found in effect that there was no conspiracy among the defendants for the purchase of the Mungana Mines by the Queensland Government for £40,000, which sum/ the Crown had claimed, had far exceeded (the mines’ value.

The jury found that there was* no conspiracy by any of the defendants whereby either Mr Theodore or Mr McCormack were to use their influence in furtherance of a common design to defraud - the G o vern me nt.

The'jury’s answers to all of the questions exonerated the four defendants.

The judgment was entered accordingly, the costs to be taxed.

FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE CIVE THEODORE AN OVATION. BRISBANE, Aligust 24. Cleared by the jury of the allegation of having taken part ill any conspiracy, the Federal Treasurer, Hon, E. G. Theodore, and the former Prime Minister of Queensland, Mr William McCormack, left the Supreme Court today triumphantly followed by a crowd of five thousand men and also some women.

The crowd cheered the result of the case wildly, and they threw their hats in the air, making a remarkable demonstration in the city’s most congested

area. Mr W. McCormack, who was always smiling, exchanged a few cheery words with the newspaper men as he strode proudly from the Court precincts. MR THEODORE’S COMMENT. BRISBANE, August 24. An hour after the Court’s verdict, Hon. E. G. Theodore broke hi s silence and lie commented on the verdict. He said: “It marks the end of a very unpleasant chapter in the history of Queensland. The Nationalists have for a very long time carried on a campaign of calumny against me. They have tried to humiliate and to destroy me • but have succeeded only in dishonouring themselves.” Mr McCormack contended himself merely by saying: “1 am now out of public life, and I have no desire to make any statement.” 1

FEDERAL PREMIER PLEASED

MELBOURNE, August 24

- Regarding tho-Mungauft-case, the Prime Minister, Mr Scullin, is greatly pleased that the long delayed case has ended, He said; “My confidence in Mr Theodore’s integrity has never wavered, Tn this time of serious difficulty, Australia wants the wholehearted services of all of its Ministers and particularly of the Treasurer. I therefore extend him mv hearty congratulations upon his honour being cleared.” ,