AN ATTACK BY MR JELLICOE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13563, 9 April 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN ATTACK BY MR JELLICOE

AUCKLAND, March 20. Mr E. G. Jellicoc, sinec his return to England, has brought some serious charges against tho Mew Zealand Government with reference to alleged illegal dealings with the sum of two millions etei'ing of Imperial money which \vas_ sent to New Zealand on account of expenditure in respect of New Zealand contingents for the Kouth African war. Mr Jellicoc lodged formal complaints at both the War Office and the Colonial Office, and is pressing for an investigation. Tho following is the explanation of tho Premier (Mr fMdon) telegraphed to the New Zealand Herald last ninhi. of the charges made by Mr Jellicoo:—'"There is nothing in Mr .Jellicoe's statement. It is only a rehash of what was stated by some .Opposition members prior to the last, elections. and in Mr .lollicoe's cross-examination at the iiKpiiry when the ' Voucher' incident was before the judges, be sought to lead evidence on the question. The facts in respect to the auditim; of Imperial moneys sent for war purposes aro as follow:—In New Zealand v,e havo a preandit system, and for a time we endeavoured to have vouchers andiied under that system. A deadlock ranidiy iook place, for the Audit, Office required information relative to l.lie accounts of il.c..e who were i.i the fighting line, and wan! of this information blocked the nece-'sary payment- 0 , one dovetailing in with another. The Imperial Government and the Con!roller and Auditor-general were consulted on the situation, and it was ullinwtely agreed to waive the Audit Otiico audit, conditionally on there being a careful departmental audit a? the expenditure took place; and it was known and understood that there would bo thereafter the usual Imperial post-audit. This searching Imperial audit has taken place, and a satisfactory adjustment has been made, and a small- margin in favour of tho New Zealand Government is proof of the greal care cxerciscd. In this and in other ways the wisdom of the course taken has been amply demonstrated. Tho NewZealand Government was from lime to lime adversely criticised owing to delays taking placo in respect to tho pay of returned eontingenters. The Imperial Government appointed its own naymaster here, and \ouchers for every shilling had to lie passed by that officer and sent on to the War Office, and a searching and careful audit of accounts finally answers any attacks made by defeated candidates. iV'r.aps the very unfair attack made may have had something to do with the defeat of Mr Jellicoe. The stalemenl Unit Iwo millions of Imperial money for expenditure in connection wilh the South African war was not audited is untrue." <