ART OF BRIBING

Northern Advocate, 2 July 1928, Page 3

ART OF BRIBING

JUDGE’S LEARNED DICTUM

“WE KNOW HOW IT IS DONE.”

While Mr Holman was addressing the Royal Commission of Inquiry into civic contracts in Sydney recently, the commissioner, Mr Justice Harvey, referring to offers by tenderers in connection with the Maling case, commented upon the fact that it was remarkable that so many people should know what was going on when one would expect those concerned to keep silent. Continuing, his Honour said: “As soon as Mr Arnot heard a whisper about the £15,000 he thought, ‘lt is time for me to get going.’ That is what it looks like to me. Evidently both Mr Arnot and Mr Hutchison thought that they were bribing the aldermen. I say they thought they were, or that they were making presents to the aldermen.’’ Mr Holman: Mr Arnot always speaks of Mr Maling as referring to “the gang.’’ My submission is that Mr Arnot has wilfully distorted the true facts of the interviews.

His Honour: Mr Holman, it is human nature. Everybody will put the best complexion on a transaction like this. They salve their conscience by putting on the best complexion. "When they have the interview they do not use the word “bribery” straight out. A wink or a nod, and it is understood. We all know how it is done.

Mr Holman (laughingly): I know, your Honour. There are few men in New South Wales who have been offer' ed more bribes than I,

His Honour chuckling): I will put you in the box—l will put you in the

box as an expert. Mr Holman: And I could give quite expert evidence on the forms of approach.

His Honour: They use euphemisms —nods, winks, and so on. They do not speak of these things right out. One knows quite well how it is done. When they come to give an account of it afterwards they put any colour they like on that sort of approach.