OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER

Evening Star, Issue 12900, 24 August 1906, Page 8

OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER

[From Our Special Correspondent.] THE FEDERAL TARIFF. SYDNEY, August 18. Apart from some uninteresting debating li the Budget, the Federal House of Be jrcserrtativcs have this week dealt with the tariff in relation to the duties on spirits The Government departed from tho recom meadatibns of the Tariff Commission in th proposals they mode seeking to obtain an extra le per gallon on imported spirits,but were, beaten on a division by 34 votes to 18., They were thus taught the lesson that they have little hope of succeeding on any tariff issue unless they are backed up by. a majority of the Commissioners. And Jhey at once took it to heart by readjusting the seal© of duties on the lines recommended, the Excise running down to 10s. The scheme, as formulated by the Commission, is designed to encourage the production and use of wine brandy and . grain whisky. A DRAMATIC RESIGNATION. Mr Rent’s troubles have commenced. He has lost a good deal of popular support owing to the ludicrous Worrall incident, and no doubt some wrangling in his Cabinet caused him to announce at the beginning of tho week that he was seriously thinking of resigning the Victorian Premiership and standing for the Federal Senate. This idea ho has since abandoned. His relations with the Minister of Lands (Mr Murray) became so strained that he had the humiliation on Tuesday of receiving tlie resignation of that gentleman during file sitting of tho Assembly. The cause of this dramatic incident was tho Premier’s objection to embody in the Small Holdings Bill provision for the compulsory disposal of laud by private holders. Mr Prendergast. Leader of the Labor party, kept proposing amendments in that direction, until Mr Bent, practically taking the conduct of the Bill out of Mr Murray's hands, announced that ho would have nothing to do with compulsory purchase, and the measure must be accepted as it stood. At this juncture Mr Murray rose and expressed his entire disagreement with the attitude of his chief. “I welcome criticism.” ho said, “from any part of tho House. I don't care bow much tune and attention tho Cabinet may bavc spent upon the Bill, somethin.: may have escaped its attention. I know the opinion of even- part of this House is favorable to_ this Bill. The object of criticism is to improve the Bill. If tho Premier will pardon mo, ho should rejoice at Ibis proof of the interest members arc taking in tho measure.” This was altogether too much for Mr Bent, and after informing Mr Murray that ho had no right to speak irp such a strain he suggested that if the Minister of Lands felt himself in any difficulty over the Bill he could throw it up. Then, to the amazement of tho House, (Mr Murray promptly responded ; “ I accept my leader's suggestion. The Bill is not satisfactory to me. I have always been in favor of compulsory acquisition. "How can I assist in passing this Bill and still remain a member of the Government? I readily resign niy charge of a Bill that seems to be a very imperfect Bill.” Then, dramatically closing his portfolio and walking away from the table. Mr Mur ray continued : “I resign my position as Minister of Lands, and I do so altogether without much regret.” The House was in committee on the Bill, and after this, in the euphemistic language of Parliament, “progress was reported.” At the close of the sitting Mr Murray had a- short interview with the Premier and his colleagues in the Ministers’ rooms to sav farewell. The reporters were of course waiting with much expectation to catch Mr Bent, and he came, hounding out of the apartment singing: Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note As his corse to the rampart we hurried. Oh! fol dc rol, de rol do rido! Questioned as to the result of the meeting, he said “In statu quo ante helium I Fol de rol, tol 10l de rido!” LAND ADMINISTRATION REFORM. The Bill introduced into the New South Wales Parliament to provide for the appointment of a Lands Commission has caused some disappointment, a:i instead of the Commission being a. thoroughly iudepen dent body, with full departmental control, they are practically clothed with merely advisory functions. In bringing the measure before the Assembly, Mr Ashton (the Minister for Lands) explained that the duties of the three Commiwioncrs would bo to report on certain matters, including the suitability for settlement of certain grades of Land under improvement lease. They would also ba called upon to report on general questions respecting settlement; on the methods of administration of the department, and upon desirable amendments of the law in relation to simplification. The Commissioners would be charged with the administration of all matters appertaining to lands_ administration, with the exception of questions of policy. And in regard to those matters of policy thoir duties would bo to mate recommendations to the Minister, who might, or might not, give effect to them. If the Minister departed from the recommendations of the Commi sioners, or wished to modify them, it would bo necessary for ten to lay his reasons before Parliament. Eh« objective of the Bill, and the administration generally, was assumed to be closer settlement; and so long as the acts of the Commissioners tended towards that objective, they were practically given a free hand. En the cataloguing of matters of policy this was taken into account: that if the Commissioners proposed to take any course of action, which, prima facie, -ontlicred with the interests of closer settlement, a ]-ower of veto was left to the Minister. Lard agents must be registered, and the Bill of a land agent might be taxed by the registrar »f the court, or by the Land Appeal Court; •rad any person acting as a land agent net registered would be disentitled to recover tees. Provision was also made for the qualification of land agents, and t.ie conditions under which they were to l-e rergistered would be laid down by the Land Appeal Board, THE LAND SCANDAL. Ignoring the French proverb about excuse? and the Shakespearian caution as to kud protests, the New South Wales Attorney General -(Mr C. G-. Wade) has or.ee more raised his voice against _the unfairness of the criticisms passed on his Government for hastening so slowly with the imri t-.indC business. Addressing his constituents the other night he averred that only unscrupulous persons would suggest that the Government had tried to shield Willis end Crick because of the fear that members of the Ministry might l>| incriminated. He took the whole responsibility for what had teen done, and not a single member of the Cabinet had mod any influence to stop the regular process of the law. As for the Prem er (Air Carruthers), he was absolutely free from complicity in tho matters which had caused so much stir. As soon as the f-ands were exposed by the Lands Ipquiry Commissioner immediate action was taken, and it was absurd for tho Press to now say that the Government had been flagged or to do their duty They had been blamed for not giving extended powers to rue ConmU'Si-mer, so that ho might be able to examine private papers, but Mr Justice Owen had hem granted all the powers ne had asked for, and these were found to bt suffice-nr. ho far 5.3 Willis was concerned, when he left Aqstra-’-a the evidence taken before ike Coinnrk.rion disclosed no offence tor wltich he could be charged. The only tonne which couM then have been viopied was to summon him as a witness, with ;be •-.lrert of rcakirj him incriminate hims°lf arid Mr tlusrice Owen considered Gns would be unfair By the time a witness had r.v, n evk.ence disclosing an offeree Wilhs had air. ady taker, his departure He was arrested immediately on nis arrival in booth Africa, and the protracted nature of th© extradition proceedings was no fault of the Government. .The charges brought against the Administration of shielding those connected with the lands scandal were, Mr Wade declared, wicked concoctions, brought forward for purely party purposes. THE CONSPIRACY CHARGES. The evidence which has been taken during the week in relation to the charges of conspiracy against Crick, Willis, and Bath has been principally regarding the transfers of leases to pastoral is Is from men alleged to have been employed by Willis as “dummies.” One of these men, John Nicholls, cave Gride a Lively, rime while under czbso-

examination, and the cx-Ministor of Lands got more change out of him’ than he bargained for. Asked whether ho had ever spoken to Cnck prior to these proceedings and what about, tho witness retorted: “Well, I did a calico sign for you, and you have pot paid me for the calico yet.” “I’ll give you all tho calico you want before I am finished with you,” threatened Crick. “11l give you cocoa for jam,” promptly retorted the witness. Then tho following colloquy took place:— ' Crick: You say you saw me shooting at Mr Willis’s house?— Witness: Yes; you are a bad shot, too. - “ You take care I am not a good one the next time I see you,” remarked Sir Crick. Who did you sec there?—l saw Willis there. Who else?— How do I know. Do you know the name of the bird you shot? If I shot you I’d shoot a foul bird. Tell mo the name of some of tho men who were there.—Well, Mr Frank Clark was there. There were a plumber and a carpenter, too. I did not keep an account book of them! The plumber’s mate-said; “Ho ought to shoot!” What were you doing that morning?— How can I remember? It was your remarkably good looks. I couldn’t forget thorn. '-■■■■- “Never mind about my good looks. I hope they are better’than your character,” said Mr Crick. I nover got a pound I didn’t work for,” retorted witness. " I hey say you are a loafer,” taunted Mr Crick. “ Like you,” said witness. “You are the second informer to come here, and I’ll tear them to pieces as they come along,” Mr Crick announced. “ There are worse people than informers in this country,” retorted witness. Jailer on Crick asked witness not to bite his words off, and received tho admonition not to “adopt the larrikin tone.” Well, now, Methuselah, wc will get on step by step. Dont’ get excited and break a blood-vessel. Wo don't want to lose you yet,” said Crick. “ I won't break a blood-vessel by drinking champagne, anyway,” said witness. "bo; nun is more in vour line,” said Crick. cholls : I’ll ask His Worship’s protection. Crick (to Nicholls): Acu keep quiet. I m not speaking to you now. Witness (excitedly): You called me an informer. I’m not a proved thief, anyhow. Afterwards the witness was provoked to say his character was hotter than that of Crick. He. explained that- it was his confidence in Wallis that induced liim to sign documents without reading them. Michael O’Connor, a horse-trainer, explained how Willis, whom he had known since he was a boy, asked him in an offhand way “ to take un a block at Mungery West.” Ho signed the application for an improvement lease without knowing anything of the land or what tho rent was. Willis told him ho was to get £2OO, and ho belie.ved he afterwards signed a transfer in blank. Ho, however, did not get the £2OO. Frank Mack, a grazier, residing near Narreumie, stated that at the date of the expiry of his leasehold area it consisted of about 34,000 acres. He also held 15,000 acres under other tenures. Some 50,000 acres of his leasehold area was designed for settlement in May, 1902. In May or June of that year he ‘saw Peter C. Close, and told him that ho was making an application for an improvement lease, and asked him to_ help him to bustle it through, as tue Minister and the country seemed in sympathy with those who were suffering from a severe drought. He told Close that if the drought broke they might not get the lease. Close said he> was very busy, and he would not take it on if there were serious objections raised locally. He saw Close next day, and said to him : “If you will take it on I am prepared to deal liberally with you.” Close asked him what he, was prepared to give, and witness said he would think it over. Later he said to him; “ There arc 50.000 acres. I’ll give you Is an acre for even* one von got me the light of bidding for.” Close° said : "A ery well; I will take it on.” When the leases were put up for auction in September he purchased four of the, five offered, comprising about 23.000 acres. In reply to Crick, the witness said it cost him £21,000 to save 20.000 sheep. In nine years there had been constant drought m tho district apart- from only two rainfalls. The normal condition was ono of drought. “It will suit these enthusiasts,” commented Air Crick, “ who want to grow crops without rain. Later on, no doubt, are will have cornfields in Hell.” Witness said it would have meant ruin to a man without capital to have been on tho land in that district- during tho drought period. -When he saw Air Crick, the latter said that his policy iva-s to save the breeding ewes, or else they would have to be imported. Air Crick; Did you ever hear that I improperly used my position as Alimstor to coerce people into paying money to obtain land to save their stock?—l never board it until I read it in the papers. How about your case* It was an arrangement between you and Close, wasn’t it.—Yes. I made the offer to him. A'our name was never mentioned, John William Fisher, a grazier, in partnership with his brother, said he had about 17,000 acres on Colane when his pastoral lease expired in 1900. He came to Sydney, and saw Willis in January, 1901. He signed an application for an ment lease in Willis’s office in April Willis asked him for £3OO, and said: “111 get you an improvement lease. FIX •et vou 40s, 60s. or 80s for your pound.’’ 0 YVlilis said : “ Get the £3OO in large uotes. ” He drew the cheque, and, changing it for £lO notes at the bank, gave the money (£SOOI to Willis. He did not get a receipt for the money. Willis counted the roney, and said. “That will be all right.” He saw Willis on different occasions afterwards, and ho put in a tendcr’on Mav 23, 1901, for tho improvement lease. Willis told him to put tho tender in tho tender-box at tho Lands Department, and he did so. Ho believed that was a day before the tender© were opened. He saw Willis on tire day the tenders wore opened, and Willis said : “Wc will go down and see who got tlie land.” The minutes of the Tender Board were put in, showing that Richard Guest tendered £242 10s, Thomas Nicholls £145, and Fisher brothers £129 6s, tlie upset price. The Board recommended the acceptance of the highest tender. On this submission there waa written: “ Accept highest tender —W.P.C.” AVitness said he saw Willis, -who told him there were'two tenderers over him, and added; “It don’t matter much about them. We will have to see what is to bo done.” Subsequently he saw Willis in his office, and Willis said: “I have seen Air Crick.” Before this or just after it, Willis asked him for £3OO more. Ab far as he could recollect, Willis said : “ I have seen Air Crick, and be says if you don’t get the land no one will get it.” About that time Willis said: “ Crick says you will get the land, and no one else.” He believed that was when he gave the second £3OO to Willis. He now said he did not give the second £3OO to Willis; When Willis ? 6 ked him for it he said: “ I have nothing to show for this, and I have no guarantee I will get the land. We'll put the £3OO in someone’s hands.” He suggested the names of Winchoombe, Carson, and Co., and Goldsbrough, Mort, and Co. Willis refused, and said: “Will you put it in the bands of Peter Close?” Witness said he would, and they went down and saw Close. Willis explained to Close that the £3OO would be put into his hands, and if he (Fisher) secured the lease, Close was to hand the money to Willis, and ask no questions. That waa in June, he believed. He handed the money in £lO notes to Clcec, but did not get a receipt. He and Willis had some conversation a I out the lease, and he raid; “ I thought you said Crick said that I would get the* lease.” “So ho did,” replied Willis,'"“and the . cow has got the money.” , Mr Crick (amiably): He called me a cow, did he? Witness said that when he paid Willis the first £3OO, Willis said: “ I don’t get much out of this. I have to pay the most of it away.” Air Crick: Did you ask-him to whom he had to pay it? WAwm: A<t

Mr Crick; Thoughtful man. Wc rill want a few more sitting here at this table before it is over. Witness said ho did 1 not got that lease. He saw Close, and told him, and Close said be was sorry. Finally, he got all, his money back, except £25. Willis: lam sorry I gave you nay now. Witness went on to explain that when he faded to get the improvement lease through Willis, Close said to him: “I will get you a lease for the balance, with twentyeight years’ tenure.” The balance was 10.000 acres. Close said, “Leave it to,me.” He saw Close a number of times after that, and. Close said things were going on all right. Close, be believed, lodged an application for him. The application whs dated July 22, 1901. The officers reported favorably, and ho secured the lease at auction, with a condition that it should be netted. The tenure was fifteen years. He said to Close that he did not expect his firm to do the work for nothing, and subsequently Close said: “ They want a bob an acre.. It will cost you a bob an acre.” He drew a cheque for £514, and, changing it foi notes, gave £SOO to Close, who said-;: “That will he quite sufficient. , They ought to he quite satisfied with that. They are getting well paid.” Close did not get the tenure extended to twenty-eight years, and subsequently on Iris own application the lease was forfeited. An arrangement was then made as to the acquirement of certain lands, and the exchange of others. He told Close that if bo did not keep to his agreement he would want his money back. Close then said; “If I don’t pot you the lease on thc terms agreed on. Crick will have to give the money back.” Close told him to put what he wanted in writing, and ho. did so. Several letters passed between him and Close. Ho eventually got the money bud, • from Close, who gave him £SOO in notes at Warren. Close aaid; “lb is just-as veil to give you this back. They are raking a noiso over this commission. A lease may be got later on.” The witness, cross-examined by Mi Crick, said he had paid various agent; £1,125. He would not swear that Crick was Minister during that time. After paying that amount, he did not get a, single thing lie wanted, and he got £l,lOO backDid you enter into any arrangement with anyone to bribe anybody in the Lands Department?— No. Was it ever suggested?— No. Were you ever threatened by any of those agents that yon could not get the land unless you paid?— Not threatened. When Close ■said “They are getting well paid,” did he say who “they” were?— No. Witness said that Close never told him at any time what he did with the £SOO aflei he gave it to him. His family had, at different times, taken up selections in the Albury district, on the Lachlan, on Alerri Merri, Gradjcry, Merrumbah, and longanbah. There had never been any dummying in connection with these. Fisher brothers bought Colane from the bank. When they purchased it they had the tight to convert tho conditional lease land into freehold There was at the time about 17,200 acres of leasehold land on tho holding. Tho Fishei family held 60,000 acres of secured land when the application on behalf of Fisher brothers was made to Mr Hawaii. There were sixteen members in the family. Mr Crick: This means with c.p.’s, c.l.’s, and this 17,000 acres it gave the family 98.000 acres. And no one going through your run could get a drink of water. Witness; We don’t bear that name out there. Mr Crick: Egad! it's been my experience. I have gone through your run in hot weather, and was never asked if I had a mouth. In answer to further questions, witness said he had not a word of evidence to give to support the charge levelled against the three defendants. None of them bad tried to extort a. farthing from him. Ho believed his father harbored a feeling of vindictiveness against- Mr Crick for many years, and ho (witness) had expressed his regret on account of this. The way Close got the lease for him made it of no use to him, and that was why he had applied to have it cancelled. It was: ho that suggested Close should be paid something, and later on they discussed the terms. The Colane land was absolutely useless for' wheat-growing. William L. Willcox, a director of Thoe. Edols and Co., of Burrawong, gave evidence to the effect that when tho pastoral lease of the firm was about to expire they had 97,000 acres of freehold and about 80.000 acres of leasehold urea. On December 4, 1902, the firm made application that the leasehold area should be submitted aa improvement lease. Willis had something to do with the wording of the application, which, he supposed, was typed in Willis’s office. He had not met Willis before he engaged him as an agent in this matter, towards the end of 1902. He told Willis that ho wanted the kinds submitted at auction, so that the company might hid for them. Willie told him to set out his case in writing, and the application was the result. Conversations took place as to fees, which were fixed. On December 11, 1902, he paid Willis £500; on March 11, 1903, £2,000; on March 24, 1903, £600; and on June, 1903, £2,900 ; a total of £6,000.

London street and Norfolk square, Paddington (London), have been agitated over tho doings of a mysterious person—whether man or woman is not known—who every morning scatters a shower of pennies on the roadway. Small ballets, or swan shot, three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and of quite a respectable weight, have been mixed with the money. A peculiarity of the mystery is that each coin bears a strange indentation, as though it had been hit by a trigger. All efforts to discover the person have failed. The conviction of a German wine merchant for .selling adulterated wine was signalised by the destruction of 66,000 pints of the wine. The wine was run into a couple of adjacent rivers, and the fish probably had a bAezy time.