ELECTION ECHO

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19121, 16 September 1936, Page 5

ELECTION ECHO

FINANCES OF DEMOCRATS PAY FOR ORGANISERS STORY OF GUARANTEES DISMISSAL OF DAUGHTER (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon, Mr. J. F. W. Dickson continued his opening address as counsel for Harry Charles Baulf, who is suing several well-known personalities of what was the Democrat Party, claiming to recover £195 as the balance of salary and expenses allegedly owing for work as the Auckland organiser for the party.

As far as the defendant William Goodfellow was concerned, continued Mr. Dickson, he and A. E. Davy, another defendant, on September 12, 1934; entered into an agreement to form a party. Davy was to receive £1260 a year for three years, and the committee was to be Messrs. Davy and Goodfellow and two nominees of Mr. Goodfellow.

“This was an extraordinary condition of affairs,’’ he added. “The objects of the Democrat Party were' to_ promote and maintain' loyalty to the King, the British Empire and the Dominion ol New Zealand and it® constitution, but we are nbw looking to this organisation -to pay its debts.” As for Mr. J. B. Dbnald, he had promised from time to time that he would personally see that the debt was paid. “The Democrat Party is not a regis tered organisation and therefore all the members of the executive are personally liable.” FORMER ASSOCIATIONS Mi-. Dickson then quoted a number of legal authorities before he called the plaintiff to give evidence. The plaintiff, Harry Charles Baulf, said he was a political organiser, and was connected with the United Party in 1928, the National Coalition Party in 1931 and the Democrat Party at the last election.

“When Mr. Davy offered me the position. I had reason to make inquiries about the financial position of the party',” said Baulf. “Mr. Davy at first said my salary would be £lO a week and expenses, hut in October of 1934 he said the finance was not all forthcoming, and that my salary would be £6 a week and expenses."

Mr. Dickson: Did you at. any time discuss the matter with Mr. Goodfellow?

The witness: Yes, in. September of 1934. He told me that what Mr. Davy had said was quite right. He said he was going in or going behind Mr. Davy to form a new party. He also said he would be responsible for £SOOO himself. He arranged that I was to get 6d a mile for the use of my car. I commenced duties on October 8, 1534. Mr. Goodfellow and I looked at offices and decided on one in Gifford’s buildings, in Vulcan lane. Mr. Goodfellow guaranteed the rent and paid £2O into the bank. . LOCAL EX£CUTiy,E.. The plaintiff said that on October 29 a local executive was formed, Messrs. J Hislop, S- Rickards and himself, as secretary, being authorised to sign cheques. It was also decided that there should be an inner organisation committee, Davy stating that there must be an inner executive to run the whole party, as finance and other things could not be mentioned at big executive meetings. Baulf said that J. B. Donald became the chairman of the Auckland executive committee in August of 1935, a Mr. Denny became secretary and treasurer in June of 1935. Up to the middle of January, 1935, the witness got his cheques fairly regularly. Goodfellow resigned from the organisation in August of 1935. A statement of liabilities produced in court showed on June 18, 1935, £ll3 10s in wages owing to Baulf. This statement was drawn up by Denny. It was passed for payment by the Dominion executive, but the witness was paid a part only. A balance of £SO 5s 8d was left owing, said Baulf. BALANCE NEVER PAID On December 14, 1935, Denny drew up another balance sheet (produced) which showed the £SO 5s 8d balance of wages owing to Baulf. This amount bad never been paid. Baulf said that he incurred expenses totalling £B2 8s lOd in the interests of the organisation which had not been paid to him. After the election J. B. Donald took all the office furnishings and books. The lock was changed and the witness could not get into the office. Among the books were the account hooks. The witness had not seen them since.

Mr. Dickson, then produced a letter from Denny.

Mr. B. Elliot (appearing for T. C. A. Hislop): I object to this letter going in. It does not concern the case at all. Mr. Wyvem Wilson, S.M.: Neither letter has any reference to any claim for wages being made by Baulf. Continuing his evidence, Baulf said he knew of an agreement between Davy and Goodfellow. lie produced a copy of the agreement. The wages to be paid to witness were £6 a week, plus expenses, and his daughter w r ns to receive £l. His daughter was dismissed by Donald, and the witness’ wage was raised to £7 by Davy. Donald’s private secretary, Miss Foster, took over the work of witness’ daughter. AGREEMENT PRODUCED

The witness said he was not present at meetings of the Dominion executive. but he had attended most of the Auckland executive meetings. Goodfellow resigned in August of 1935. The witness had discussed an outstanding account with Donald, who had said the amount had not been paid because there was no money then available. At two meetings of the organisation when finances were being discussed, Donald said the accounts had to be paid and he would see that this was done. The witness’ solicitor had written to Donald'and Davy demanding payment of the account which the witness claimed was owing to him. The witness’ solicitor had also written to the secretary of the Democrat Party in Wellington demanding payment of £lB4 7s 8d which the witness was claiming. The witness personally had not received any rep]y.