"GAMBLING WITH PARTY FUNDS."

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 144, 20 June 1913, Page 5

"GAMBLING WITH PARTY FUNDS."

RULES FOB PUBLIC MEN

(Received June 19, 11.25 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. .. Mr Cave's speech was quietly deJivered, the only passage raising party j cries being when he made inquiries as to whether Viscount EQibank's purchase of American Marconis with the

party funds was for a rise or an investment. If for a rise he then asked the Liberals to say how far they were satisfied that the funds for pro- ; mating such objects as Disestablishment should be derived from gambling .on the Stock Exchange. If for in- i vestment then the party's financial j interests were bound up in the success of the American Marconi Company. Mr Cave contended that Ministers profiting by the early information supplied by Mr Godfrey Isaacs broke j the rule that no Minister should take an advantage or favor from a man contracting with the Government. 'TThey' broke another rule of public life in -becoming interested in a company the profits of which depended upon

■confirmation of a contract. Sir Rufus Isaacs hoped that none would hesitate to accept his state- j ment that he never had the faintest ' intention to deceive any Member of ; -the House. He emphasised that in the purchase ,of American^ shares whatever might have been said of its j wisdom there was no suggestion that | lie had acted dishonestly or in bad faith. Discussing whether the transactions were discreet or not he con- j -tended, that it was absurd to suggest , that Mr Godfrey Isaacs made the ; offer as conferring a favor or advan- * tage. I Sir Rufus added that, although -thinking the transactions quite un- ' objectionable, if he had known all he ? "knew now he would not have entered o[nto them. He had acted perfectly openly. ' . Mr Lloyd George - also denied any intention at concealment. He. remarked that the decision of Sir jßufus and himself was that the Committee would afford the best opportunity of presenting the facts. It was a mistake, but a mistake in judgment and not in candor towards the House. Dismissing whether the transaction was judicious or discreet he admitted that it was neither, and lie certainly would not go through it •again. Tibere was, however, a vast ♦difference between an indiscretion which might be acknowledged or rebuked, and an indiscretion in private investments which warranted a solemn vote of censure. He was conscious that he had done nothing to "bring a stain on the honor of a Minister of the Crown.

The Chancellor concluded: "If you will have it, T acted thoughtlessly, j »ca*relessly, and mistakenly, but I act- j. •Ed innocently, openly, and honestly. That is why I confidently place myself in the bands, not merely of political friends, but of Members from all., parts of the House." Lord Robert Cecil defended his re--port. He contended that the trans- ',- actions Were gambling transactions, . in which Ministers ought not to have i ■ engaged. He did not charge them j with corruption, but with grave impropriety. He asked the House not to sanction a precedent by opening the doors to corruption in the future. ; Mr S. O. Buckmaster moved an , amendment deolarinc that the House .-accepts the Minister's statements and repudiates the false charges, which have proved wholly unfounded. Mr BM seconded tho amendment. Mr R. W. Essex defended the nifiority report. ! Mr Samuel dealt trenchantly with -anonymous critics, and vindicated the po<*t office negotiations. ' Mr Lyttelton declared that +ho -question was not a personal one, but -as to what att'tude the Hous^ should assiime towards n- creat public ques■t.'^n. Ho T^^nll^d nr\ instance- in IP"4 of a Minis+er's private secretary, -who^e later appointment as Governor ■of nnp of +.T>o Australian colonies w.is ■ca,nr"]\<y] bomnqp he had speculated on tho .S +ock Kxchnnge. rvlfhonrrh Sir "Edward Grey was then Colonial Secre- ..

CABLE NI3WB.

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tary: He did not believe that the speculations were based on official information.

The debate was adjourned. The Standard remarks that the Opposition's main point was largely attained by the avowals.