BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY: FURTHER EVIDENCE HEARD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22808, 1 December 1948, Page 7

BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY: FURTHER EVIDENCE HEARD

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter —Copyricht.)

(11.30 a.m.) LONDON. Nov. 30 Ronald Curtis, senior partner in a firm of property consultants and valuers, said that Sidney Stanley, the centra! figure in the Board oi Trade inquiry, had put him into touch with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, •1. W. Belcher, when Curtis' firm sought a building license. After several meetings with Belcher, Curtis said he acquired the desired license.

Curtis was giving evidence at the inquiry into alleged corruption of Board of ‘Trade officials and other public figures. Curtis said there was never any question of paying money to Stanley. Neither was there any suggestion that Belcher should receive payment. The chairman and managing-director of Swears and Wells, Limited, Cyril Joshua Ross, who stated he paid Stanley £35,000 over a period for services he rendered in business transactions, declared that the publicity arising from the inquiry evidence on this matter cost Ross £615.000 within one week by the adverse effect on his business interests. Ross said he had had business dealings with Stanley in connection with the purchase of the private company of J. Jones, Limited, of Manchester. Ross said he finally found that Stanley “was not giving a proper account of moneys and my_ confidence in him disappeared. I decided that lie was quite an undesirable person with whom to do business.” Mr. G. Pauli, K.C. (assisting Sir Hartley Sbawcross) read a letter signed" by Stanley to Ross saying: “Re J. Jones (Manchester) Limited, I am agreeable to accept the sum of £20,000 for services I have rendered if the matter goes through successfully.” Colonel John Douglas George , who was formerly chairman of the company owning Stanley’s luxury fiat, said he met Belcher at Stanley’s flat early this year. Belcher said: “You know 1 am a Socialist and although not a member of the Government am very close to it. The Government won’t last forever and I am very glad to meet men like you because when we go out of office some of you may be inclined to offer directorships in companies in which you are interested.” George said Belcher added: “If there is anything you want at any time from my department, don’t go through the usual channels. Get in touch with me. I may be able to help you a great deal.”

The inquiry into the allegations if expected to sit at least two more weeks.

Stanley, the stateless alien around whom Sir Hartley Shawcross stated that the “whole tangled web is spun,” is expected to go into the box tomorrow. His evidence will last several days. Belcher will probably be the last witness to be called.