Australia

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1915, Page 5

Australia

ARMY CONTRACTS CASE, KIDMAN FOUND GUILTY. STATEMENT BY THE DEFENDANT. Received June 23, 9.50 p.m. Sydney, June 23. In the Kidman case, Edward Simes, a carcase butcher, whose name \Yas on one of the tenders signed, gave evidence that he had authorised Kidman to use his name on tenders, but the attached signature was not his. He never had anything to do with carrying out the tenders. One contract in his name was carried out by Kidman, witness doing nothing beyond signing it. Alfred James, a printer, whoso name was attached to the tender, said lie. did not. know Kidman, and had not authorised anyone to sign the tender for him. Kidman, in a lengthy statement, said he had been twenty-seven years tendering for Government supplies, during which time (.here was no trouble. In regard to the disputed tenders, he arrived at the tender odice at eleven o'clock, and tender's closed at noon. He put in tenders in his own name, and then, after some conversation with a gentleman who had interests in other tenders, he thought he might be too high, and he put in others in order to have a second ihance. 'that, practice, iie understood, was common in Australia. Til a hurry, lie used names at random. In every case the tenders were genuine, and would be carried out if accepted. There was no intent ion to injure or defraud the Com inonwealth. The Chief Justice, in summing up, said the ease was important because it con - reined contracts for use in the defence Id the Empire, and the whole nation was interested. If a person took advantage of such a state of things to exploit, the public for his own profit he deserve! public reprobation if nothing else. It Was admitted by accused that he, made tile document and uttered it. The question to be considered was whether it was a false document, ami it, was false if It purported to In* made on behalf of a person who had not given authority or Was a lion existent person. The object of ("ailing tenders was to get genuine oilers and obtain fair competition and nvoid favor. Kidman was found guilty, and sentence was deferred. EVERY MAN WANTED. EQCtI'MICNT NOT TIIIC QUKSTION. Received June ~2;>, 11.1,") p.m. Melbourne, June Mr. Pearce, addressing' a. reerniling meeting, said: The llritish authorities have informed us (hat every man is wanted. It is not, for .you to ask if the Uoveruinciit can provide uniforms. Every man is wanted, whether we are able to lind uniforms and equipment or not. Y\ e know there will be difficulties iu regard to equipment, but it. is not your worry, and the difficulties are for the Government and Parliament to surmount.

OEXETiAT; WAT! ITEMS. Sydney, June 2.1. The policewomen appointed are Mioses Lilian Armfteld, nf the nursing staff at f'allan Park, and Maude .Marion Rhodes, inspector in tile Children's l!c!ief Delia rtnirnt. The .Minister of Education is appealing (o m'!ioo1 children to ouldo their own record in raising money for Ihe Mothers' Thirty Thousand Kund' in con]:c"tiiin villi Australia nay. In the Assembly. Air. ('arinichac! gave notice of motion to take a referendum on tho advisability of ill." earlv closing of hotels. 'Melbourne. -Tunc "Notwithstanding the Covernment's pvorau)ion<-', Cermans in America are still circulating war leaflets in Australia. Mr. Pearce advices all fiirli.'vr (hem to destroy them.