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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 145, 25 July 1914, Page 8

One of the principals in the'Boorabil (N.S.W.) land scandal, Mr Osborne, MJP., lias admitted before the Royal

-Commission appointed to investigate the dubious transaction that he was indiscreet in voting in the House on a matter in which he was pecuniarily interested. '-.. The facts so far as they have been outlined at the enquiry do not redound to the credit of any of the principals in the case. Mr Osborne and ah cx-ineniber were promised a commission by the agents interested in the sale of the estate referred to if the Government could be brought to clinch the purchase. The estate was bought by the Government for closer settlement purposes, and the next thing that happened . was a civil suit by Mr Osborne and his partner for the commission. In this they were successful. The Liberals pressed for an investigation of the matter, and it was only after reiterated appeals that the Royal Commission was set up. The political land agents have been quite frank as to their share.: in the transaction, and what is looked for from the court of enquiry is an expression of opinion, in the form .of a recommendation, as to the .propriety of members .of Parliament using their position for the purposes of pecuniary gain in State transactions. The Commission may reasonably go further with a view to ascertaining just to what extent the practice prevails, and its probable effect on the various departments. Mr Osborne may account for his part in the deal by a temporary indiscretion, but it is not an excuse that will appeal to those who have no doubts whatever as to the impropriety of politicians intervening, for financial reasons, between the State and a private vendor. It is a principle that leads inevitably to abuses of an insidious nature, and if unchecked, will surely develop into that abhorrent growth on political life called "graft."