JARVIE’S TRIUMPH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 787, 7 October 1929, Page 9

JARVIE’S TRIUMPH

ASHFIELD BY-ELECTION VICTORY RECENT BRIBERY SCANDAL (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) Reed. 10.50 a.m. SYDNEY, Today. Major M. L. F. Jarvie, who was involved in the recent bribery scandal, was re-elected for the Ashfield seat, with a majority of 24S votes. The final figures were: Jarvie (Nationalist) .. .. 4,376 Clancy (Labour) 4,128 Huie (Independent) .. .. 1,662 Kirkwood (Nationalist) . . 290 Pickett (Nationalist) .. 186 Major Jarvie was charged some time ago with having been involved in an alleged attempt to bribe the late Chief Secretary of New South Wales, Mr. A. Bruntnell, in connection with a bus service. A Royal Commission investigated the matter, and following upon its report the Premier, Mr. T. R. Bavin, requested Major Jarvie to resign the Ashfield seat. This he did on September 18, when he made an impassioned speech in the Assembly in defence of his honour, and announced his intention of seeking re-election. He declared in dramatic fashion that the findings against him were based on deliberately perjured evidence. Mr. Justice Davidson, he asserted, had been deliberately misled. “I have been the victim of a cleverly concocted conspiracy,” said Major Jarvie, "and I say before you and before my God that I am absolutely innocent of the charge of conspiracy.” There was general uproar when the member formally tendered his resignation and left the Chamber.