THE WIRELESS ENQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 284, 31 March 1913, Page 5

THE WIRELESS ENQUIRY.

A SEARCHING EXAMINATION

.SIR RUECS ISAACS IS ANGu.

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, March 28.

Sir Rufus Isaacs hotly accused the Marconi Committee of trying him, and protested vehemently against the lie 3 and fabrications published. He produced ill - . Asquith's letter of August 15, 1912, counselling him not to notico the scurrilous rubbish published by a little-known paper. Mr. Samuel, in the House of Commons, in reply to a question, admitted that he knew in August last that Sir • Rufus Isaacs and Mr. Lloyd Ueorge held American Marconi shares. I

INSINUATIONS AGAINST MINISTERS-

MR. LLOYD GEORGE AND "CAESAR'S WIFE."

Received 30, 5.5 p.m.

London, March 2!),

There was a crowded attendance at the sitting of the Marconi Enquiry Committee. Sir Rufus Isaacs admitted that Mr. Lloyd George and the Master of Elibank had made a further purchase of 3000 shares iu the American Company. Ho had not referred to this in the "Matin" case, because to do ; so would have transgressed the rules: of evidence. !

A searching examination of Sir Rufus Isaacs, which lasted eleven hours and a half, has now been conclndcd.

Mr. Llovd George gave evidence that he and the Master of Elibank purchased 3000 shares on May 22 at 43s iy 2 d, and sold some at fi3s iy 3 d. They still held 1043 shares. The net result was thai he lost £SOO. He added, emotionally, "I am a comparatively poor man, .and the whole of my present investments only yield me £4OOO annually." !

The heating was adjourned. Mr. Lloyd George gave evidence that it was made absolutely dear to him that the American company had no interest in the English company's contract with the Government, and no question of jndiscretion entered his mind. The transaction was perfectly clean and straightforward.

When questioned respecting the standard for public men laid down in his "Caesar's wife" speech upon Mr. Joseph Chamberlain in December, 1000, he said he was quite prepared to be judged by the principles he then laid down. ' He threatened that, if he were examined oilthat debate, he should have to go into the whole business.

Mr. Lloyd Geovge further stated that{ he thought the Postmaster-General had j got the best of the bargain with the I Marconi Company. The withdrawal contract would not affect the American company's profits or shares. !