OUTBURST IN COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26677, 24 January 1948, Page 7

OUTBURST IN COURT

NEW GUINEA LEASES CASE FEDERAL MINISTER UNDER CROSS-EXAMINATION N.Z.P.A.—Copyright Rec. 11.45 p.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 23. Heated exchanges between the Minister of External Territories, Mr E. J. Ward and counsel for John Smith Garden were a feature of the proceedings in the special Federal Court to-day, where charges against Garden are being heard. Garden is charged on three counts arising out of an alleged deal concerning New Guinea timber leases. He is accused of forging and falsifying official documents while liaison officer of the Federal Department of Labour. Cross-examined by counsel for the defendant, Mr Simon Isaacs, Mr Ward called counsel “ a dirty liar,” and added: “All your questi&ns have been pure humbug, and you know it.” The questions which led to the outburst dealt with an application by an aviator. Ray Parer, for permission from the department to visit Bulolo Valley. Mr Ward denied knowledge of the existence of the syndicate of which Garden and Parer were members, and of telegrams sent by Garden to the negotiating company. Mr Isaacs: Were you not in this transaction up to your neck? Mr Ward: You’re a liar. Mr Isaacs: Isn’t it a fact that your share was £20,000 in this transaction. Mr Ward: No. You’re a dirty liar. Mr Isaacs: Five thousand pounds from the first payment and then £15,000 from the balance? Mr Ward: I knew nothing about it, and put investigation officers on when I heard. , .. , Mr Isaacs: You don’t deny that £SOOO was produced in £lO notes? Mr Ward: You’re a liar. The cross-examination continued with Mr Isaacs asking a number of questions about a safe deposit box held by Ward in his own and his wife’s name. , Mr Isaacs said it had been established that £37,500 had been paid by the Brisbane Timber Company to a member of the syndicate. Mr Isaacs: You will agree it is convenient to have a safe deposit for a large sum of money? * Mr Ward: It is convenient for very disreputable people, but I am not in that class. Mr Isaacs: You put yourself out of that class? Mr Ward: Yes —not in your class. The witness denied having other transactions. He said he had no investments in any private company and that the few investments he had were in Commonwealth loans. To another question as to whether he paid for shares in a Sydney firm acquired by another man, Mr Ward again shouted his protest. * After a further clash, Mr Ward said: “ I have a clear conscience. I know you are only on a muck-raking expedition. and I have nothing to be worried about.” At this stage certain documents were produced on a subpeena by Mr William Morris Urquhart, secretary of the Sydney Pincombe Proprietary, Ltd., and by aa representative of the Commonwealth Bank. Mr Ward again denied being interested in the company. To further questions as to whether Garden had claimed unfair treatment of Parer, Mr Ward said that Garden had referred to him as “ a rubber stamp Minister.” and that he had replied: “I’m neither a rubber stamp for you nor the heads of the department.” The hearing was adjourned till Monday.