GRAFT REVEALED

Wairarapa Age, 12 December 1918, Page 5

GRAFT REVEALED

DISCLOSURES IN AUSTRALIA. (Austrolian-N.Z. Cable Association.) I (Received December 11, 10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 10. The report of the Royal Commission which inquired into the purchase of the Shaw wireless station and two steamers by tho Government, states that tho Commission is of opinion that Senator Long received £2400 from tho Rev. Father Shaw as consideration, for his political influence, which he used in connection with the purchase. After Cabinet had considered the report, the Acting-Premier (the Hon. W. A, Watt) announced that thera waa 00 a?lde°JC9 to caaaact the Hon. J. A. Je&sen (Minister of Customs) with the receipt of mobey in connection with the purchase of tho wireless plant, but Cabinet had decided that it was not desirablo that he should remain a member of the Government, and was taking steps to arrange for his retirement. In respect to Senator Long, Cabinet w as consulting counsel as to -whether thero was evidence which would justify tho taking of action in a Court of Law.

FURTHER DETAILS. (Received December 11, 12 noon.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 11. The report shows that the Shaw wireless works were purchased for £55,000, though some valuations obtained placed the valuo considerably below this figure, owing to tho works including much obsolete and other material useless, to the Navy. Tho Commission finds that Mr Jensen disregarded the advice of Bear-Admiral Clariuofl, the engineering expert, and took the advice of an inexperienced subordinate officer; that the valuation paid no consideration to the utility of the plant to the Department; that certain facts were not placed befor« Cabinet; and that tlie works were purchased at a price, much in excess of their value.

Eograding the purchase of the steamers for £4500 and £7500 respectively, the report states that after purchaso they were found to be quite unsuitable for the purposes they wero intended for, and they had to be used for other purposes. Tenders were invited for the purchase of highorprieed vessels end brought offers of £IOOO and £305.

Mr Jensen, in a statement to the House, contended that the Commission's findings were hot in accordance' with evidence, and that he had been attacked by the 'Commission for carrying out the policy of the Government, and therefore refusing to bo tied down by the Naval Board. The Ministry had asked for his resignation, but they would not get it. He feared nobody and had done nothing wrong. Senator Long, who, according to the report, admitted receiving £1290 from Father Sh&w as a gratuity in view of their friendship, obtained permission to make a statement in the Senate later.

A SENATOR'S DENIAL. . 'Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Last Night, 9.40 o'clock.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 11. In the Senate, Senator Long emphatically denied that he, or any minister, ever received a penny piece in connection with the Government's acquisition of the Shaw wireless plant.