MINISTER IN BOX

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 49, 27 February 1923, Page 8

MINISTER IN BOX

TALE OF THE STRAWBERRIES

REPLY TO EDEN ELECTION PETI TION.

(ET TEIBdIIAPH.—PRESS IS3OCIATIOS.)

AUCKLAND, This Day

The hearing of the Eden election petition was continued this morning, when the petitioner's case was closed, sub' ject to the appearance of a witness, who had been subpoenaed, but did not attend. Mr. Johnstone, opening the case for the defence, submitted that never before had an election petition bee« made on such flimsy grounds. In regard to the Avondale charges, which were withdrawn, not one word of regret had been expressed for making such damaging allegations without foundation. In the Glen Eden allegations counsel submitted, petitioner should withdraw the charges of personal corruption against Parr, but as that had not, been done. Parr would go into the witness-box and tell the Court he had absolutely no knowledge of the proceedings at Glen Eden until he went there on the afternoon, intending to address a political meeting. Further, on 4th November, one day after the committee was set up at Glen Eden, he wrote expressly stating that his committee was not to enter upon any monetary contract without his personal sanction. Counsel submitted it was absurd to suggest that the supply of a few strawberries was done from corrupt motives. He would submit strong evidence to show it was not done for political purposes, but was only reasonable hospitality. Christopher Jamas Parr stated in evidence that he attended a meeting at Glen Eden on 3rd November, and chatted with his supporters. He suggested that those willing to work for him should hand in their names. Levy was appointed secretary, ar.d Shepherd chairman. When he arrived at the Glen I Eden meeting he found the room decorated, and asked: "Who has done all, this?" Mrs. Routley replied: "The,' women have pushed the men out to give you and Mrs. Pa-rr a social afternoon." She said it was -.noro for Mrs. Parr.

His Honour: "It seems a case of the electors treating the' candidate, rather than of the candidate trea-ting the electors." Parr said that Shepherd took the chair as chairman of the Town Board. He was emphatic on the point that it was a social, and not a political meeting, arranged by the women of the district. At the meeting on the evening of the same day a strong political opponent. Thomas, asked him: "Do you believe in bribery?!' Witness replied : ."Certainly not. What do you mean';" The questioner said: "What about the strawberries' this aftsrnoo.i!" Witness replied that they were part of a social given by women of the district to Mrs. Parr and himself. He added that the women provided and paid for everything. _ Under cross-examination, Parr said he spoke not a word of politics at the Glen Eden social. He was asked by Shepherd to say a few words about social questions and to be very brief. Mr. Quartley: "Had it occurred to you it might bo dangerous?" Witness: "Not for a moment. I took the assurance of Mrs. Routley that the women of the district had taken possession and had 'altered the ordinary meeting into a social; also that they had organised the social as a compliment to Mrs. Parr." Mrs. Erickson, in evidence, said it was made clear that all the arrangements for the social were in the hands of the women. She admitted^ that the women did not issue the invitation cards. Nothing was said about Parr "being the man to vote for."

In reply to the Judge, Mr. Skerrett stated that 10s was charged for the hire of the hall.

Witness said the committee arranged to pay for the strawberries.