GRAFT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 967, 9 May 1930, Page 9

GRAFT

BIG-SCALE BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBER TELLS CANBERRA, Thursday. The fact that a startling allegation of bribery had been made to him was disclosed by the Prime Minister. Mr. J. H. Scullin, in the House of Representatives today. Mr. Scullin stated that Mr. Roland JL Green, Country Party member for .Richmond, who was a member of the Public Works Committee, had intormed him that every member of that committee except Mr. Green himself had accepted a bribe from an unnamed man who desired a decision m favour of A class broadcasting stations in a claim for compensation from the Government, following upon the taking over of those stations. The Prime Minister announced that the allegation would be investigated without delay. EARNED HIS £SOO Continuing, Mr. Scullin said the investigation by the Public Works Com* Hllttee into the claim referred to had been temporarily suspended. The vhairman, Mr. P. E. Coleman, Labour member of the House for Reid, who c? having received a bribe of LSOO. had asked Mr. Green whether l .u cou identify the strange man who was said to have approached him *>n the verandah of Parliament House with an offer of £2OO. Mr. Green had said that he could. That man, according to Mr. Green, had saitl “Coleman has earned his £500.” Then he had added: ‘‘Do not be a darned fool—why stand in your own light?” Mr. Green had declared that he had made no reply. He was simply astounded. Later on Mr. Green had brought the matter up at a meeting the committee, upon which every member had denied having been approached. *