BRIBERY CHARGE

Southland Times, Issue 20489, 17 May 1928, Page 5

BRIBERY CHARGE

INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE. Canberra, May 16. Mr Bruce stated to-day that the object of granting a Royal Commission to inquire into Mr Lambert’s bribery charge was to protect the honour and dignity of the National Parliament. M 1; Theodore, whose seat is involved, said he thoroughly approved of Mr Bruce’s action. Mr Scullin, Leader of the Opposition, announced that the proposed caucus inquiry into Mr Lambert’s allegation fixed for today would be deferred in view of Mr Bruce’s action, which had surprized the Labourites. Mr Lambert wired to say he was ill.— Australian Press Association. A previous message from Sydney stated: —The Labour member of the Federal House of Representatives for West Sydney, Mr William H. Lambert, alleges that when Mr E. G. Theodore, formerly Premier of Queensland, was looking for a safe Labour seat 18 months ago he (Mr Lambert) was offered a bribe of £B,OOO by a former supporter of the Labour Party to resign his seat to Mr Theodore. The member says he declined to do this, although the money was very tempting. Mr Theodore, he says, was afterwards provided with the Dally seat, Mr W. G. Mahony making way for him. Mr Lambert adds: “Now I find that the same people who offered me £B,OOO have ‘jockeyed’ me out of being selected as the Labour nominee for West Sydney, and I am a beaten man.” In an interview Mr Theodore said Mr Lambert’s allegation was too grotesque to warrant his serious consideration.