MR. MACALLISTER'S CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 76, 16 August 1912, Page 5

MR. MACALLISTER'S CASE.

A REPLY TO MR. FISHER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, Last Xight. Mr. McAllister, interviewed to-day, said: I have nothing more to add to the statement I have already made. The lion. Mr. .Usher is good enough to say that lie easts 110 reflection on me, yet he declines to accept my word that the restriction referred to was not imposed at my instance, and the letter to Mr. Waldogruve, late Under-Secretarv to the Department of Justice, of July 15, 1910, shows that all 1 expected was that 'the Clown work which had been going to Mr. T. Jr. McDonald's office would pass to mine.' When it was intimated to me by the district manager of the department here that the whole of the work of tile department was to come to my office I expressed surprise, and remarked that I did not expect that. I think the officer referred to will remember my making that remark. How the restriction came to be imposed I ihave no knowledge. Ido not know what is or is not conceivable to the Hon. Mr. Fisher, but the suggestion that the restriction referred to must liave been imposed at my instance, in order to 'score a point over all members of the legal profession at Invercargill' is a reflection on me more objectionable than Mr. Fisher apparently realises, and one which is quite unworthy of the Minister of the Crown. I hav<? spoken to all the solicitors who were allccted by the restriction of the business to the Crown Solicitor's office, and they all assure me that they are quite satisfied that the restriction referred to was not imposed at my instance, or at my 'request. This assurance is good enough for me."

REFERENCES IN THE HOUSE. . (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) , .. _ Wellington, Last Night. A brief reference was made to the McAllister 1 (Invercargill) case in the House to-night. The member for Mataipa (Mr. Anderson) said that when the Minister of Customs was referring to,the case tJie other night lie said that he diad cast", no. reflection on Mr. McAllister. He (Mr. Anderson) knew that gentleman as one who was highly respected in his town, anil highly respected in his profession. There, was nothing wrong in what he did. Where the wrong arose was in the -Cabinet allowing such ft thing to occur. The. same observation ,applied to the Mokau lease, which was now almost forgotten. The spectators were not to blame; the Ministry that allowed the transaction to take place was.