MINISTERIAL ETHICS.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13809, 25 August 1913, Page 5

MINISTERIAL ETHICS.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S RETAINER

MR IRVINE CHALLENGED

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE .INTEREST^

Melbourne, Aug 23

In the Federal House the Hon W. H. Irvine, Attorney-General, replied to : Mr Fraser's attack regarding his con- • nection with the Marconi Company. Ho said Mr Fraser seemed to think the acceptance of a retainer involved some confidential arrangement between the company giving a retainer and the counsel accepting it. Nothing was more absurd, A general retainer did not bind counsel as regards the acceptance of a brief if there was any reason whatever, public or private,, which would embarassftinx. lie had no more relations with the Marconi Company than with other gentlemen who had given him general retainers, and he owed no duty to them except that he had to give them notice before lie iiecepted a brief in an action against them. The point raised by Mr Fisher I involved the whole question whether a could accept any position in a : Ministry unless he altogether divested himself of any interest of any kind which might come iii conflict with any decision he might hare to give as a Minister. Mr Fraser said he considered that the Marconi Company had first claim on Mr Irvine's services, and not merely that he had to give notice before he appeared against it. Mr Fisher said the House would hare to decide whether Ministers should allow their private interests to affect their public duties. Mr Cook, Prim© Minister, declared that Mr Irvine absolutely cut his connection with the Marconi Company when he returned their briefs. The House adjourned until Tuesday,