REFUSED £500

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 979, 23 May 1930, Page 11

REFUSED £SOO

MAN OFFERED BRIBE ON BROADCAST CASE INQUIRY IN AUSTRALIA CANBERRA, Thursday. Mr. Justice Dethridge, sitting as a Royal Commission, today opened an inquiry into the allegation of Mr. Roland F. Green, Country Party member of the Federal House of Representatives for Richmond, of attempted bribery involving the members of the Public Accounts Committee. The charge arose out of a claim by the owners of A Class broadcasting stations for heavy compensation from the Commonwealth Government. Mr. Green was the chief witness. Ho stated in evidence that an unnamed man, who described himself as an insurance inspector, had said to him: “I understand you are the only member of the Public Accounts Committee who is standing out against the broadcasting claim. Coleman (referring to Mr. P. E. Coleman, Labour member of the House of Representatives for Reid) earned his £SOO. Why be a darned fool and stand in your own light?” Witness said he also was approached by Major W J. Conder, formerly of s f ation 3LO in Melbourne. Major Conder suggested that Mr. Green should accept £2OO for dresses for his wife.

TOOK FREE TICKETS Cross-examined, witness admitted that he had accepted free tickets for the J. C. Williamson firm’s theatres. That firm was interested in the compensation claim. Witness admitted that he had been indiscreet in fraternising with the directors of the Williamson firm after the opening of the broadcasting claim. However, he would not admit that he had thrown himself in Major Conder’s way. Messrs. J. B. Hayes and A. A. Hoare, members of the Senate, and Messrs. J. B. Chifiey, S. L. Gardner and G. E. Yates, members of the House of Representatives, all of whom are members of the Public Accounts Committee, emphatically denied having accepted bribes to influence their votes in favour of the broadcasting claim. Each agreed to produce his bank book. The inquiry was adjourned.