BRIBERY INVOLVED

Southland Times, Issue 21854, 3 November 1932, Page 5

BRIBERY INVOLVED

TIN HARES AND FRUIT MACHINES. ROYAL COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 12.15 a.m.) Sydney, November 2. The report of the Royal Commissioner, Mr Justice Haise Rogers, who inquired into greyhound racing and fruit machines, was tabled in the Assembly by the Premier, Mr Stevens, to-night. The Commissioner found that money had passed in relation to both tin hares and fruit machines, but he was unable to say definitely to whom. In the granting of tin hare permits the Commissioner said he was driven to the conclusion that the wishes of “Judge” Swindell were followed in almost every case and that Swindell was in close touch, directly or indirectly, with some section of Cabinet throughout. With regard to fruit machines, his Honour said there was no doubt that Cabinet sanctioned their installation knowing they involved breaches of the law. In his introductory remarks the Commissioner commented on the prevalence of false swearing before the Commission. The inquiry revealed that the opinion was widely held that to get things done bribery must be employed. There stood two takers of the toll—Swindell, who received money or money’s worth to get legislation passed or as the price of permits to race, and Sleeman, a publicity officer in Government employ holding an undefined position of authority in connection with the hospitals scheme and levying a week by week percentage of takings from the owners of fruit machines.