FREER CASE

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 November 1936, Page 2

FREER CASE

SYDNEY PRESS DISCLOSURES

[BY-CABLE: —PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.] (Received November 26, 3 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 26. The “Daily Telegraph” publishes details of correspondence which it alleges passed between Mr. Paterson and a man residing in Sydney, in the former’s “efforts to obtain further evidence to support the banishment of Mrs. Freer.”

“The Telegraph” says: “One of the highlights is that the informant does not now pretend that th.e ‘information’ referred to the Mrs. Freer who was banned.” “Another significant point is that after the. man sent the ‘information’ to Mr. Paterson, he wrote suggesting as a reward he should be given a" job. In reply, Mr. Paterson said. ‘You can rest assured that, immediately 1 hear of something 1 think would suit you I will use my best endeavours on your behalf.’ ” “The Telegraph” alleged the criminal record of the informant includes convictions for false pretences and perjury, and adds, “all that remains -to be said now is that Mr. Lyons has no alternative, but to call for the immediate resignation of Mr. Paterson. Unless this is done, the public will certainly call for the resignation of the Lyons Government.” “The Herald” 'in a leader, reviews the Freer case at length and says: “Obviously the poxver of exclusion, which is valuable and important, for nationalpolicy should not be used for petty personal or domestic reasons. Cabinet has three, courses open to it. Itjshould either give fully thp reasons for- the Freer han. and thus justify its stand, refer the case to inquiry, or admit frankly it made a mistake, and rectify it in the hdnqurable way, by allowing Mrs. Freer to land.’’

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. SYDNEY, November 25. The Minister for tbe Interior (Mr. T. Paterson) replied to several questions in the House of Representatives about Mrs. Freer. He said: “I am still in communication, with the Indian Government, and if further information comes to hand I will take whatever action I deepi advisable.” Mr. Paterson admitted that a letter had been received from a New Zealand solicitor, Mr. G. P. Finlay, asking that Mrs. Freer be given an opportunity to state her case in Australia to an independent tribunal. Mr. Paterson added that the exclusion of Mrs. Freer had already been considered by the Cabinet, and any attempt by her to return would hot be regarded as a new case for reconsideration by the Cabinet.. He did not think the public interest warranted an inquiry such as required by Mrs. Freer’s solicitor.