NEW SOUTH WALES LAND SCANDAL

North Otago Times, Volume C, Issue 13146, 29 August 1914, Page 3

NEW SOUTH WALES LAND SCANDAL

APPEAL DISMISSED. (Per Calilo.—Press Association.—Copyright) Received August 28, fI.IO p.m. SYDNEY, August 28. The Full Court has dismissed the appeal against the.payment of £2OO to Osborne,. M.l\, and: Jones, an exmember of rarliainent, in connection with the sale of Uoorabil Estate to the Government, The grounds of the appeal was that on the score of public policy plain tills, as members of Parliament, were not entitled to payment of commission and expenses. A majority, of the Court held that the plaintiffs' action was not illegal. Justice Gordon dissented, holding that members ofParliament using their, influence with Ministers.of tlio'-Orowu for a monetary consideration was. against public policy. .. t(Mr Osborne, ut ininber of the Legisjii:' live AssemVly, and Mr Li. A. Jones, air e.\-jiieiiiber, siiedfllie .ageut.'for'the sale of tho Boorabil Estate,to (the 'Government for closer settlement pnrposes'iVr i'2oo commission. The verdict was in jilaintilf's favour. As a result of press criticisms regarding legislators acting as agents, Cabinet decided to appoint a Itoyal Commission of Inquiry. The Commissioner was given the powers of ut (Supreme Couij Judge).