BUDGETLEAKAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19890, 20 May 1936, Page 7

BUDGETLEAKAGE

EVIDENCE IN BRITAIN. WITNEBB ADMITS UNTRUTHS. DEALINGS IN INSURANCE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received May 20, 11 a.m.) LONDON, May 19. The tribunal sef up to inquire into allegations of the leakage of Budget information sat again to-day. Sir Samuel Porter, Judge of the King’s Bench Division, presiding. Kenneth Butt, recalled, admitted making a statement on April 24 to his employers -containing a number of untruths, giving the impression that he had effected insurances for Mr Harrison, whose order was not limited to any specific amounts or rates. In reply to a question by counsel as to whether he did not see anything serious in making and signing such an untrue statement, Butt replied: “Yes, I went straight to my father. I had not any motive except to prevent the firm from knowing that my father was the true owner of the insurances.”

Philip Ambrumenil, chairman of the firm employing Butt, gave evidence that lie told Butt that he took a serious view of his action in effecting Budget insurances through other brokers without the firm’s knowledge or consent. He might have dismissed him, hut requested him to sign a statement, which Butt considered privately before signing.

Witness added; “I had no idea that Butt’s father was concerned in the in-

Questions by Judge.

The Judge closely questioned Waterton, a member of a firm of stockbrokers, in relation to his statement on April 15 concerning Mr J. H. Thomas.

Waterton explained that he thought that Leslie Thomas was a friend of Davis. “It was not very ethical, Ibut I connected the two, and did it entirely on my own. The Judge: “Having done that, you went and told Marriott that the information was from a friend who had a friend who was J. 11. Thomas?”

tirely on my own. The Judge: “Having done that, you went and told Marriott that the information was from a friend who had a friend who was J. H. Thomas?’’ Waterton: ‘‘Something to that effect.” Dr. Reginald Hearn gave evidence that Vergottis said that he had a means of getting hold of Information from a member of the Cabinet and mentioned Mr Thomas. Witness regarded It In the nature of gossip, not to be taken seriously. Mr Morris, for Mr Thomas, interposed that Vergottis was completely unknown to Mr Thomas. The Judge said he was grateful to Mr Thomas for producing his private accounts, but would also like those with a bookmaker or anything of that kind. The inquiry was adjourned. Counsel s addresses will be heard to-mor-THE ULSTER BUDGET. LABOUR MEMBER’S ALLEGATION. LEAKAGE OF INFORMATION. Unitea Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received May 20, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 19. A Labour member, Mr Midgley, in the Ulster Parliament complained of the leakage of Budget Information. He said the newspapers were In possession of the proposals long before the announcement was made In the House, and details had been telegraphed to England. The matter was referred to the Committee of Privileges. On May 14 It was stated that the Ulster Budget provided £400,000 toward the British defence programme. The Budget showed revenue totalling £13,280,000 and expenditure £12,824,000, leaving a balance of £456,000, supplemented by £94,000 from the unemployment fund.