BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 19893, 15 June 1928, Page 8

BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS

FEDERAL LABOUR SEATS MR LAMBERT'S CHARGES. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. .SYDNEY, Juno 14. At. 10-day’s sitting of the Royal Commission, which is inquiring into Mr Lambert’s charges, Mr Lambert was cross-examined by counsel lor Mr Theodore, and said that a.s far as he knew Mr Theodore had never been identified with any offer to witness, except on the word of Mr Mahoney. In reply to further questions, witness said that when he made his statement ho was. .acting under a sense of injustice because he had been jostled out of his West Sydney seat. Sydney Bird, secretary of the Australian Labour Party, was recalled, and said that when Mr Mahoney tendered his resignation ho was called into the room where the Australian Labour Executive was sitting, and when he wrote out his unconditional resignation no mention was made of Mr Theodore. Mr Mahonev was recalled, and said that £1,250 of the total of his testimonial was his own. Lie put it in as the testimonial was hanging fire, and ho did not want to end his career with failure.

Mr Theodore announced that, acting on his conusors advice, 1)© had decided not. In answer any questions in public as to hi., private affairs, but lie would answer any questions in camera as to his private a flairs or any other matter. In jcply to a question he said he would swear that none of his financial transactions had anythin" to do with Mr Mahoney or with the purchase of any parliamentary seat. The only financial transactions were the £5 he gave to tho Mahoney testimonial fund and £2OO ho gave to Mr Mahoney for the same purpose. Witness added that beyond that statement he would answer no questions in public. Recalled again, Mr Mahoney said there had never been any agreement of any kind between himself and Mr Theodore on the question of the former resigning, and witness had never approached Mr Lambert on the question of the latter resigning in favour of Mr Theodore.