GRATE CHARGES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20587, 1 July 1932, Page 11

GRATE CHARGES.

| THE LANG MINISTRY. j BRIBERY' AND CORRUPTION j ALLEGED. • I'-KO.M OVE 0 V:; COBHESPOXDEXT.) SYDXEY, Juno 24. 'I his week, lor the first time, definite indications were given of a nature of some of the serious charges of briberv and corruption that are being brought againfrt tho defeated Lang Ministry. These refer to the legalising of betting at mechanical hare races and according to Mr W. "VY. Monalian, K.C., the evidence which the Crown would put before the Royal Commission would disclose "serious obliquity on the part of the Minister charged with the administration of the Gaming Act." One of the Crown witnesses would relate conversations with the then Minister for Lands (Mr Tully), who was alleged to have said that he would have to see the Chief Secretary (Mr Gosling), and later remarked that he was satisfied. It would also be shown that the secretary of the "Labour Daily"—the official organ of the Lang Party—had told one witness that the Bill would be opposed unless that newspaper "got something out of it." Later an advertising contract was given to the "Labour Daily." Mr Monahan traced the history of mechanical hare racing in New South Wales, showing how betting facilities were restored by Mr Lang's Party. Early in ID3I there were two companies interested in greyhound racing and they appeared to work together for their joint interests in efforts to get legislation passed to legalise betting at night meetings. An important part in the negotiations, according to counsel, was played by a Mr Redmond Barry, who suggested to the managing director of the Australian Coursing Company that something could be done to influence the Government. Mr Barry was told "well if you will do that, and can obtain night betting, we will remunerate you for your services." Subsequently Mr Barry was assured that he would be given £SOOO in fully paid up £.l shares. Barry later said, "You must realise that I have to give away at least half these shares to certain Ministers." Officials of the company said that they understood that. According to Mr Barry's story he interviewed the Minister for Lands (Mr Jack Tully) and said to him, "Jack, I have some letters here which might interest you in getting a Bill through to license night betting on tin hares. "What chanco is there of getting night betting legalised?" Mr Monahan said that Mr Tully was alleged to have replied that if the case was put properly there was no reason why tho Bill should not go through. Barry had admitted that he said to Mr Tully, "I am able to dispose of these shares in any way I think fit"; and Mr Tully replied, "We will get the Bill through all right but I will have to see Mr Gosling (chief secretary)." Two or three days later Mr Barry was told by Mr Tully that everything was all right. Mr Tully then asked, "How many shares will I be able to have!" Mr Barry's alleged reply was, "I will have to give others away, but I will give you 2000." In October, 1931, said Mr Monahan, Mr Munro ' (managing director of the Australian Cpursing Company) said to a Mr Ilutton, a veterinary surgeon employed by the company, "We are transferring 12,000 shares in the company to you but you will understand that you are only a dummy on v this matter." Mr Huttonsubsequently signed a nuaiber of documents. Mr Barry would also allege that a man whose identity had not been revealed had also offered to use his influence with the Premier's private secretary (Mr McCayley). That man had heard Mr Lang telephono Mr Gosling asking for all papers in the tin hare business, as he had decided to handle the matter himself. ' Advertising Contract. Counsel next related the allegations 'in regard to the "Labour Daily," and here again the unknown' man, who would be known during the enquiry as Mr X, played an important part. The negotiations were carried out 'by the secretary of the company, and it would be alleged' that the company received a letter from the Coursing Company which stated that in consideration of services rendered by the newspaper, it wa,s proposed to sign a contract for 12 months' advertising for £ISOO. Mr Barry would also allege that at this stage of the proceedings a member of the Board of the Coursing Company had seen Mr Lang. Mr Barry resented this, and Mr Lang is alleged to have said that if the matter was not taken out of the hands of Mr Barry, the Bill would not go through. . A statement that a number of shares had been given to members of the Legislative Council, in return for a favourable vote, would have an important bearing oil the enquiry, and it was significant that an adverse vote in the Council when the Bill was first introduced .was converted into ft favourable vote later when the measure came up for reconsideration. Many allegations would.be made concerning the granting of licenses outside the metropolitan area. For instance, in regard to the license at Broken Hill, and it would be shown that of all the letters written to the Premier, ofily one was on the official file. Counsel suggested that Mr Lang was fully aware that underhand work was going on. Threats were made to Mr Lang to expose the methods of certain Labour men. It would be "alleged that the Broken Hill applicant had been told to get in touch with a man, Judge Swindell, who was advising the Government on all matters relating to tin hare licenses. It would be asserted that Mr Swindell had made a demand for £2OOO for the Labour Party Fighting Fund, and 1000 fully paid-up shares—soo each for two Labour men, including the representative of -the district. The Under-Secretary of the Chief Secretary's Department (Mr Harlcness) had prepared a report of the administration of the Act, regarding greyhound coursing, and it was significant, said Mr Monahan, that the. original had disappeared. However, there was a carbon copy, and that would be available for the Commission. In the regulations that were issued for the granting of licenses the recommendations made by Mr Harkness were ignored. Certain letters were also missing from Mr Lang's file. All the innocuous letters were there,-but those not entirely innocuous were not there. Copies had been kept, however, of many of the important communications relating to the Broken Hill application, and they would be produced later. After other allegations of a similar nature had been made, the Commission adjourned until July 11th, when evidence will be entered upon.

GRAFT CHARGES. GIFTS TO RAILWAY OFFICER. (Received Juns 30th, 11.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 30. The enquiry by a Koyal Commission into the charges of misconduct against Charles J. Goode, Chief Transport Commissioner, while he was an officer in the Railway Department was continued

to-day. Evidence related to gifts of poultry, which were delivered to Good** home from time to time by various carriers. John Wainwright said that while employed by the Yellow Express Carriers, Limited, he delivered a case of cherries, a pair of ducks, and also a ham. On other occasions he delivered .cases of benzine to Goode for his car. These usually came from the Yellow Express garage. Witness said he had instructions not to charge for goods so delivered. The hearing was adjourned.