LANG AS WITNESS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1932, Page 5

LANG AS WITNESS

RAILWAY INQUIRY

CHARGE AGAINST COMMISSIONER

(Australian Press Association.)

SYDNEY,. June 20. The two Royal Commissions appointed by the Stevens’ Government to investigate, respectively, a charge ot misconduct against Mr C. J. Goode (Chief Transport Commissioner) ' and the events leading up to the restoration of mechanical hare racing, have opened. What has become known as “the Goode Inquiry,” relates to the action of Mr Goode, while he was Goods Yard Superintendent in the Railway Department.

The ex-t Premier, Mr Lang, who was responsible for Mr Goode’s appointment as Transport Commissioner, was the chief witness, to-day. He said that' Mr Goode hacl been redressed for whatever had happened while he was an officer of the Railway Department, and. having been punished, he (Mr Lang) had sent for him aUd offered him the position of Chief Transport Commissioner. Me was an outstanding iiiah.

A file of Departmental papers was handed to Mi* Lang, covering charges of misconduct, and Mr Lang was asked whether he did not think 'the charges against Mr Gooch; were pretty serious, Mr Lang answered: ‘‘lt is not for me to judge a man.” “Surely,” asked Mr Stand, who is assisting the Royal Commission, “yon regard it as a serious thing for a man dealing with railway tenders to aoeepi something from railway 'contractors’'” Mr Lang replied: “Tf he did that, he should be dismissed! f sent the papers to the Crown Law Office. It was not my duty to say whether lie was guilty or not.”

Tlie inquiry was adjourned. The tin hare inquiry was adjourned after all opening address by Mr Monaghan', who is appearing to assist the Royal Commissioner. Several instances of graft were alleged against three former Cabinet Ministers, and certain Members of Parliament.

Mr Shand questioned a number of witnesses, including Mr Lang, concerning the whereabouts of a missing file of papers relating to Air Goode. Mr Lang replied that lie had no idea where it was. He added that he had not read the documents of this particular file.

Mr Lang described the proceedings against Mr Goode as “a man hunt.”

NARROWEST WIN ON RECORD.

(Received this <' v at 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 21.

Mr R.’. T. Ball, United Country Pttrty eiunlidate for Corowa, has tbe dlstmetion of getting into Parliament, with the narrowest win on. record. The poll was declared aml Mr Ball defeated the other United Country Party candidate, Mr S. Creed by only one vote, the figures, after the distribution of the Labour man’s preferences being: Ball 5610, Creed 5600.