MR JELLICOE AND THE PREMIER.

Evening Star, Issue 12768, 22 March 1906, Page 2

MR JELLICOE AND THE PREMIER.

Mr .E, Q. Jellicoe, since hi a return to England, has (says an Auckland message) brought some serious charges against the New Zealand Government with reference to alleged illegal dealings with the sum of two jnilßons sterling of Imperial money which was sent to New Zealand on adoount <Jf expenditure in respect of New Zealand contingents for the South African Wax. Mr Jelucoe lodged formal complaints at both the War Office and the Colonial Office, and is pressing for an investigation. • The following is the explanation of the Premier (Mr Seddon), telegraphed to the ‘New Zealand Herald’ last night, of the charges made by Mr JellicOe; —“ There is nothing in Mr Jellieoe’s statement. It is only a rehash of what was stated by some Opposition members prior to the last elections, and in Mr Jellicoe’s cross-examination at the inquiry when the ‘voucher’ incident was before the Judges he sought to lead evidence on the question. The facts in respect to the auditing of Imperial moneys sent for war purposes are as fetlow:—ln New Zealand we have a pre-audit system, and for a time we endeavored to have Vouchers audited under that system. A deadlock rapidly took place, for the Audit Office required information relative to the accounts of those who were in the fighting line, and want of this information blocked the necessary payments, one dovetailing in with another. The Imperial Government and the Controller and Auditor-'Oeneral were consulted on the situation. It was ultimately agreed to waive the Audit Office audit, conditionally on there being a careful departmental audit as the expenditure took place; and it was known and understood that there would be thereafter the usual Imperial post-audit. This searching Imperial audit has taken place, and a satisfactory adjustment has been made, and a-small margin in favor of the New Zealand Government is proof of the great care exercised. In this and in other ways the wisdom of the course taken has been amply demonstrated. The New Zealand Government were from time to time adversely criticised owing to delays taking place in respect to the pay of returned eontingenters. The Imperial Government appointed their own paymaster here, and vouchers for every shilling had to he passed bv that officer and sent on to the War Office, and n searching and careful audit of accounts finally answers any attacks made by defeated candidates. Perhaps the very unfair attack made may have had something to do with the defeat of Mr Jellicoe. The statement that two millions of Imperial money for expenditure in connection with the South African War was not audited is untrue.”