FEDERAL POLITICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16327, 25 August 1913, Page 7

FEDERAL POLITICS.

MR WEBSTER’S VACCINATION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright MELBOURNE, August 23. It is announced that Mr Webster was successfully vaccinated a week ago, so that he will bo ablo to vote in tho censure division, which will probably bo taken on Wednesday. MR C. E. FRAZER’S CHARGE. MR IR VINE AND THE MARCONI COMPANY. MELBOURNE, August 23. In the House of Representatives, Air W. H. Irvine replied to Air C. E. Frazer’s attack regarding the Marconi Company. He said that Air Frazer seemed to think that the acceptance of a retainer involved some confidential arrangement between the company giving the retainer and counsel accepting it. Nothing could be more absurd, as a general retainer did not bind counsel regarding the acceptance of a brief if there should be any reason whatever, public or private, which might embarrass him. Ho had no more relations with the Alarconi Company than with other gentlemen who had given him retainers. He owed no duty to them except that he had to givo them notice before he accepted a brief in an action against them. The point raised by Air Frazer involved the whole question that a man could not accept any position in a Ministry unless he altogether divested himself of any interest of any kind which might come into conflict with any decision lie might have to givo as a Minister.

Air Frazer considered that the Alarconi Company had a first claim on Air Irvine’s services, not merely that ho had to give notice before lie appeared against it. ATr Fisher said that the House should have decided whether Alinisters should allow their private interests to affect their public duties. Air Cook declared that Air Irvine had absolutely cut his connection with the Alarconi Company, and returned bis briefs. The House then adjourned till Tuesday.