THE MARCONI DEAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 9, 11 June 1913, Page 5

THE MARCONI DEAL

THE MASTER OF ELTBANK. GRAVE ALLEGATIONS. "By OaMe— Press Assooiation—CapyTigkt. London, June 9. At the Marconi Committee meeting today, the chairman announced that though pressed in April to return and jpre evidence,, the .Master of Elihank J»ad cabled that he would be unable to attend before July. Mr. Salaman, a trustee of the estate of Mr. Fenner, a stockbroker, testified that an account appeared in Fenner's ledger, in the names of tire Master of - Elibank and Mr. Illingworth jointly, but the account was not connected with Mar- - -com shares. Witness believed the Master of Elibank's trust account, and another account in his name, were one and the same trust account, although one account did not record any deal in Marconis, but the other did. The Master of Elibank was a creditor to Fenner's ■estate to the extent of £30,000. Mr. P. H. Illingworth, M.P.; in his evidence, stated that the Master of Elibank's brother had told him that the Master of Elibank had purchased 3000 American Marconis for the Liberal Party. When witness had assumed the position of Whip for the Liberal Party, the Master of Elibank had handed over part of the securities, but' they did not include Marconis.

FLUTTERED POLITICAL DOVECOTES QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE. STRONG CRITICISM. Received 10, 11.40 p.m. London, June 10. The sole topic of discussion in the lobby is the Marconi Committee's disclosures. The Liberals dread further revelations. One Liberal stated that the thing is a malignant cancer, which, when directly killed in one direction, breaks out in another. Many Liberals blame the Master of Elibank for not returning earlier. They demand that the Committee shall close its evidence and prepare an interim report. The Unionists consider that the latest disclosures necessitate keeping the investigation open. An angry scene in the House of Commons was narrowly averted, owing to a Tory calling out, when Mr. Illingworth entered the House, "Here comes the cotrustee!"

Replying to a question, Mr. Asquitb said that he had not heard of the Masterof Elibank's purchases until last week, when Mr. Illingwortli informed him. He did not know whether the investments in American Marconi shares concerned the party funds.

Mr. R. McNeill asked whether Mr. Asquith • was aware that the Master of Elibank had paid almost £IO,OOO for these shares, whereas he had secured the •previous shares at a lower price. Mr. Asquith replied that he had no 'knowledge. The Daily News, protesting against the Tory alarum excursions, says that •the chief whip of the Party is uncontrolled master of the party funds. If the Master .of Elibank invested them •unfortunately, so much the worse for the party. But the matter had nothing to do with the Marconi enquiry. Any grievance is a grievance of the party against the former whip as financier.

The Chronicle censures Sir Albert Spicer for not disclosing the Master of Elibank's telegrams. The Chronicle says that it has always teen of opinion that the purchase of American Marconis by Ministers was injudicious, but not corrupt. The mistake was much aggravated by not being was much aggravated last October. The latest disclosures are of little importance. The purchase of a few thousand more shares made little difference.

FURTHER DISCLOSURES. THE LIBERAL PARTY FUNDS. INTENSE POLITICAL EXCITEMENT. Received 11, 12.20 a.m. London, June 10. Chesterton has paid his fine. Replying to Sir A. Spicer, the Master of Elibank telegraphed that he is in the midst of highly important negotiations with the Columbian Government, and then with negotiations with Mexico i and the West Indies, but that when he returns he will make a personal statement in Parliament. Lord Robert Cecil asked Mr. Salaman i the nature of the trust. The Liberal members objected, apparently fearing disclosures relating to the Party funds. There was-considerable bickering, and the room was cleared. When the public were re-admitted, Mr. Salaman replied that the wye registered in the names of the Master of Elibank and Mr. Illingworth. There was a sensation when, in further examination, Mr. Salaman disclosed other dealings, the whole resulting in Fenner owing £30,000. Meanwhile a message was sent to Mr. Illingworth that his name had been mentioned, and he presented himself for examination. The room was crowded by many Com- ' moners. Mr. Illingworth said that he had no inkling until the end of last month, when he sent for Captain Murray, who told him of the Master of Elibank's purchases on behalf of the Liberal Party. The finances of the Party were uncontrolled, and were at the discretion of the chief whip. Mr. Illingworth added that his only connection with the matter was a second name in connection with registrations of securities. The Master of Elibank's cheques were drawn on the Charing Cross branch of the National Bank, which was not the bank where the partv funds were usually kept. He protested that the Master of Elibank was the most cruelly slandered man in the country. "When lies are flying about like swarms of midgets," he added, "I don't want to.lot fall a word of condemnation." During the examination, frequently three or four members were firing questions, simultaneously. Sir A. Spicer was seemingly powerless. Mr. Amen- suggested that the Party funds v-.-v' 111r- real creditors fur the ££o.ooo in I'enner's estate. There was an angry scene, the Liberals crying "No! Eiibank is p<-r?or.:'.lly the creditor." Captain Murray will give evidence today.