£8,000 FOR “SAFE SEAT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 378, 12 June 1928, Page 9

£B,OOO FOR “SAFE SEAT”

LABOUR MAN’S CHARGE ROYAL COMMISSION SITS INVESTIGATING A SCANDAL (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) CANBERRA, Monday. The Royal Commission set up to inquire into the bribery charges made by Mr. William H. Lambert, Labour member of the House of Representatives for West Sydney, commenced its sittings to-day. Mr. Lambert’s allegation was that when Mr. E. G. Theodore, formerly Premier of Queensland, was looking for a safe Labour seat 18 months ago he (Mr. Lambert) was offered a bribe of £B,OOO by a former supporter of the Labour Party to resign his seat to Mr. Theodore. He declined to do this, although the money was very tempting. Mr. Theodore, he said, was afterwards provided with the Dailey seat, Mr. W. G. Mahony making way for him.

Mr. R. Windeyer, K.C., 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 raise the question of the validity of the commission. SIGNIFICANT REMARKS

Mr. W. L. Duncan, Nationalist member of the Senate, was the first witness called. He recounted some remarks made by Mr. P. E. Coleman, Labour member of the House of Representatives for Reid, in the course of which he said the latter referred to monetary inducements being offered to members of the House to resign. Witness said he did not think Mr. Coleman had any idea of injuring Mr. Theodore, nor did he understand that the money was to come from Mr. Theodore.

Witness said 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. MR. CANN’S EVIDENCE

Mr. George Cann. formerly Minister of Public Health in the Lang Ministry, stated in evidence that Mr. Coleman had told him an attractive offer was made by Mr. Mahony on behalf of Mr. Theodore to enable the latter to secure a seat. Later when witness was to be run by the Nationalists against Mr. Coleman, the latter said he would do his utmost to “put dirt over him.” Witness replied that all confidences were “off,” and he intended in future to speak the truth, no matter whom it hurt.