THE DEFENCE SCANDAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7891, 5 August 1905, Page 2

THE DEFENCE SCANDAL.

THE CHAMS MAIHI'AIHED. MR FISHER CLAIMS JUSTIFICATION. I'd Apology Needed. .Pit Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Aug. 4. Messrs Taylor, Fisher, Laurcnsoir and Bedford, M.H.R.'s, held llicir adjourned meeting this evening at His Majesty's Theatre. The building was full, the sale of tickets being stopped by the Corporation Inspector at ten minutes to eight. The speakers had on the whole an attentive hearing, and the. few interruptions at the back were scored off by the speakers.

Messrs Laurenson and Bedford went* over the same ground as at Invtr*argill, Mr Taylor's speech, in criticising the administration of the Government, was largely on the lines oj speeches he has made previously in Parliament. He said that since Friday he had examined minutely the evidence Mr Fisher had in his possession when he made the reference to the voucher in the House on Friday. He told them that if Mr , Fisher, knowing what he did : know that night, had not challenged the fluestoon of payment to Captain Seddon, in his (Mr Taylor's judgment') he would have been guilty of gross dereliction of his public duties. Mr Taylor said deliberately that Mr fisher would never be called on ttt apologise alter the next few days, and supposing they did not prove their case, he believed every honest man would say Mr Fisher was justified in making the reference he did in the House. They would present the evidence to Parliament.

Mr Fisher also spoke in justification of his criticism. A motion was carried almost unanimously, that the highest Interests of the colony justify the formation of a New Liberal Party, and wishing it success in its organisation and aims.

Related by Defence Under-Secretary

WELLINGTON, Adg. 4. When the House met this afternoon Mr Sodden laid on the table a memo from the Under-Secretary of Detencc, who stated that no trace could be found of any claim for a payment to Captain Seddoit of any sum whatever foB the organisation of defence stores.