THE MARCONI DEAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 11, 13 June 1913, Page 5

THE MARCONI DEAL.

PRESS COMMENTARY. CAPTAIN MURRAY'S EVIDENCE By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, June 11. Lord Murray," Master of Elibank, cabled from Quito, communicating direct with the Committee. The Manchester Guardian says that though there was no trace of dishonour it was unwise for Sir ltufus Isaacs, Mr. Lloyd George and Lord Murray to buy American Marconis, and even more unwise for Lord Murray to buy on behalf of the Liberal Central Association. The manner in which the facts had been disclosed was disconcerting.- Harmless facts hurt if drawn out like teeth. The most blame must lie put upon Lord Murray, of Elibank, who was within his rights in staying away, hut it was unwise to ldt it appear that he thought his private afl'airs more important than urgent publie business. The Daily Chronicle, says that Lord Murray's original indiscretion and subsequent concealment were both wrong, but neither was corrupt nor selfish. There must be some reconsideration of the system of placing party funds at the secret and uncontrolled disposal of one individ- < ual.

The Daily Mail says that whatever'] Sir Rufus Isaacs and Mr. Lloyd George thought , regarding the transactions being. too trivial to tell Parliament -in 1 October, Lord Murray, of Elibank, con- > sidered it better that the investment] of party funds jn American Marconis should be secret . ' ' * , j Giving evidence before the Marconi j Committee, Frabbe, accountant in the I National Bank, who gave his evi4ence . under compulsion, despite that he was bound by an oath not to reveal particulars of customers' accounts, s'ajd that the cheques covering the purchase of three thousand American Marconis were drawn on a special account different from Lord Murray's letter showing that the special account was a political one. I Captain Murray, an alert and soldier-' ly figure, was evidently determined not to go beyond the written statement previously cabled. He explained that, as the committee was aware, Lord Murray had purchased American Marconis, the captain did not think it necessary to mention the purchase to others, .ce'nsid- ■ dering the number of shares made little difference at the time of the disclosures. During the Le Matin libel ease lie wrote ; to his brother, saying lie thought it unnecessary for him to return. The captain said he had heard that Fenner had I absconded with certain securities other 1 than American Marconis, but he refused 1 to say whether these concerned Mr. Illingworth. the new Liberal whip, who succeeded the then Master of Elibank.

ELIBANK'S , EVIDENCE. A COMPLETE REFUTATION. Received 12, 10.55 p.m. London, June 12. The Marconi Committee received the Master of Elibank's cablegram as follows: "I beg the committee to accept the following evidence' T read Mr. Lloyd George's and the Isaacss' evidence, and completely and absolutely confirm their statement regarding the joint interest in American Marconigrams. As chief whip I bought three thousand, which I still hold. Outside the foregoing I never had any interest, personally or as whip, in any Marconigram shares, in any shape or form. I conulted Mr. Frank Crisk, solicitor, about Fenner's default, and agreed not to involve the new whip in the muddle, but advise him later. Neither Mr. Illingworth nor his colleagues knew of this or any whip investments. If the Committee desire, I will, regardless of business obligations, return with express speed." The Committee, on the motion of Lord Robert Cecil, cabled to Lord Murrav a special report upon the charges against Ministers, which is already complete. If he returns before the final report 'is prepared, they will hear his evidence.