BUDGET TRIBUNAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 140, 15 May 1936, Page 9

BUDGET TRIBUNAL

MR J. H. THOMAS APPEARS. DENIAL OF DISCLOSURES. REMARKS TO CHANCELLOR. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received Mav 15, 9.40 a.m. LONDON, May 14. The Colonial Secretary (Mr J. H. Thomas) tendered evidence to-day to the tribunal inquiring into the alleged leakage of Budget secrets. Mr Thomas declared that lie knew nothing of the Chancellor’s proposals until the Cabinet meeting on April 9. Ho supposed that nobody else cud. He played golf on three consecutive days with Alfred Bates at Easter; he had known him for twenty years. Asked bluntly whether lie had disclo.id any information on the Budget, Mr Thomas replied: Absolutely none. He added: That shortly alter the Budget a pointed reference was made about me. 1 received anonymous letters. 1 told Mr Baldwin, “I don’t know what Cabinet will do; I do not want to know, blit 1 insist on investigating my son’s transactions.” M> Baldwin replied that it was hardly a matter for me; it was the concern ol the Chancellor. Mr Thomas proceeded: I saw the Chancellor in repeated conversation with Mr Baldwin. Mr Chamberlain replied, “I have not heard from Lloyds yet.” I said, “1 am not concerned with that, Neville. 1 am concerned with my name and my boy’s honour. I want you to investigate my son’s transactions. T also saw my son immediately his name was coupled with the affair. He said he had merely acted for the good of bis clients and saw nothing wrong in it. 1 asked, “Have you done anvthing for yourself?” He replied, “Not a copper.” 1 then sent for Bates and said, “What do you mean my letting Leslie in in this way?” Bates replied, “What do you mean? Leslie, as my broker, is entitled to my business. Referring to his autobiography, Mr Thomas said ho had been offered large sums to write it. “I was influenced absolutely on account of the house 1 wanted.” Ire declared.

QUESTION OF RESIGNATION. Mr Thomas continued that in the interval following his seeing Mr Baldwin and the Chancellor he was worried as to whether to resign. He consulted a friend, who said: “For God’s sake, Jinjmio, don’t resign. All manner of constructions would lie placed on it.” I thought the advice was sound, and carried on.

Mr Thomas, in reply to Mr Justice Porter, declared that Bates did none of his financial business, except the transactions already related. He agreed that lie had had ample opportunity of telling Bates Budget secrets, but he did not recall any discussion on financial matters during the days ho saw Bates. . Mr Thomas agreed with the Judge s request to furnish the tribunal with his banking accounts and investmentbook.

Mr Thomas, after half an hour in the witness box, left the Court to take refreshment with a friend. Reginald Marriott gave evidence that Watertdn, a member of his firm of stockbrokers, had told him that he had heard from a friend named Eves that income tax was being increased by 3d. He added that Eves got the information form a friend who was a great friend of Mr Thomas. Marriottsaid he had instructed Waterton to place £75 insurance, promising him £IOO if it came off. Vergottis, a financier, and ex-shipowner, said Waterton had told him on April 20 about the income tax rise as a rumour that Waterton had heard from liis solicitor. He had obtained insurance for £2500 at 15 guineas per cent. He afterwards had a diseusskn with Mr Randolph Churchill, who regarded a rise of 3d as most unlikely, increases being invariably Od. Tlie hearing was adjourned.

In tlie course of the evidence given by Alfred Bates, as cabled yesterday, it was made to appear that he said: “Mr Thomas was to receive £20,000 for writing his life, plus half the- profits beyond £20,000 to go to Mr Thomas. Mr Thomas died.” The statement should have read that Mr Thomas was to receive “£20,000 for writing his life, plus half the profits beyond £20,000 to go to Mrs Thomas if Mr Thomas Died.”