ALLEGATION OF BRIBERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21021, 9 May 1930, Page 9

ALLEGATION OF BRIBERY

MR SGULLIN’S DISCLOSURE. AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) CANBERRA, May 8. (Received May 8, at 11 p.m.) A startling allegation of bribery was disclosed by the Prime Minister (Mr J. H. Scullin) in the House of Representatives to-day. He stated that Mr Roland Green, M.P., who was a member of the Public Works Committee, had informed him that every member of that committee’ except Mr Green himself had accepted bribe from an unnamed man who desired a decision in favour of A class broadcasting stations in a claim for compensation from the Government following the taking over of those stations. . Mr Scullin announced that the allegation would be investigated without delay. Mr Scullin gave the House details of the alleged attempt to bribe memb?rs of the committee and said that the investigation by that committee into the broadcasting station’s claim had been temporarily suspended. The chairman of the committee (Mr Colenian, M.P.), who had denied having received a £SOO bribe, had asked Mr Roland Green, whether he could identify the strange man who approached him on the veranda of Parliament House with an offer of £2OO. Mr Green said that he could, and that man according to Mr Green, had said: “Mr Coleman has earned hia £500,” and asked him not. to be “ a darned fool,” saying: “ Why stand in your own light? ” Mr Green declared that he had made no reply. He was simply astounded. Later on Mr Green brought the matter up in committee, upon, which every member denied having been approached.