SECRET FUNDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1941, Page 5

SECRET FUNDS

THE ALLEGED SCANDAL IN AUSTRALIA DISCLOSURE BY MR CURTIN. MR HUGHES GIVES SOME DETAILS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, September 19. More light has been shed on the Federal political scandal unearthed yesterday by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Curtin, who stated today that he received a visit at his hotel last Saturday from a man who handed him documents unfavourable to the Prime Minister, Mr Fadden, and also allegations regarding the purposes of certain funds administered by the Government. Mr Curtin satisfied himself that the man was in possession of documents which should have been available only to the head of the Government. He was also convinced that the man believed the information would enable a political attack to be launched on Mr Fadden. Mr Curtin said he lost 'no time in acquainting Mr Fadden with the details of the mysterious visit, and also handed him a copy of the documents. The Attorney-General, Mr Hughes today repudiated the suggestion that public funds were being used for improper purposes or to bribe union officials. Mr Hughes added that fantastic rumours were going around suggesting that the fund to which Mr Curtin referred must run into millions. The cold facts were that the total expenditure from this fund for some 20 months averaged £240 a month.