CHARGES HOT ANSWERED

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1930, Page 9

CHARGES HOT ANSWERED

MR. THEODORE’S ADDRESS INDICTMENT ASKED FOR * • SCANDALOUS DECISION ’ ’ By Telegraph—Press Assn.--Copyright Rec. 10.5 p.m. " Canberra, July 8. Mr. E. G. Theodore, contrary to expectations, made no attempt to-day to answer the charges of fraud and dishonesty levelled against him by Mr. Justice Campbell. His statement in the House of Representatives, which was awaited throughout the Commonwealth with the greatest interest, concluded with the hope that the Queensland Government would give him the opportunity of answering the charges seriatim by presenting an indictment against him. “I do not want a further Royal Commission, I ask for a fair trial by formulating an indictment against me covering every one of the charges,” he declared. Before Mr, Theodore began to speak every inch of space in the House was occupied. The Prime Minister briefly explained the events which led to Mr t Theodore’s resignation of the Treasureship and paid a tribute to the manner in which he had carried out his work. He Said Mr. Theodore had brought to bear immense industry and intellectual capacity in dealing with a complicated and most difficult and financial situation, unprecedented in the annals of the Commonwealth. Mr. Theodore, in the course of a long statement, said he did not want anyone to infer that his retirement from Ministerial office was in any sense an admission that the report of the Royal Commission was justified. He merely desired to correct wrong impressions on a couple of matters which were agitating the public mind. One was that he had only himself to blame for not appearing before the commission and giving evidence. The terms of reference of the commission, however, in no way impugned his honour. He had tried to appear before the commission at the end of May, but tho dates suggested had been unacceptable to the commission. He next received an invitation to give evidence before the commission on July 7, but this was not acceptable to him owing to the preparation of the Federal Budget. He wrote suggesting another date after the delivery of the Budget, but received an answer from tho commission saying that his letter was vague and unsatisfactory. Mr. Theodore added that he thought he should have been heard, particularly ae his banking affairs ‘had been raked up by the commission. It was a recognised principle of British justice to grant an adjournment of a commission in such circumstances to enable him to give evidence. “Is it any wonder I have come to the conclusion I am the victim of the hired assassin he asked. Mr. Theodore went on to repeat the charges. Me said, “1 am not going to answer these now, I am looking for a better opportunity. All the charges are false, damnably false.” He read a letter received that day from his solicitors and counsel before the Mungana Commission. This stated: “The commissioners’ finding is absolutely unjust and biassed. There is no oral evidence to connect Mr. Theodore in any way with the charges. We regard it as a scandalous decision, based merely on assumption and inference.”

“REEKS WITH POLITICAL MALICE.” MR. McCORMACK ON THE REPORT. Rec. 11.30 p.m. Sydney, July 8. Mr. William McCormack, former Premier of Queensland, interviewed at a Darlinghurst flat, said that the Mungaua report recked with political malice based entirely on hearsay and inference. He demanded a full investigation of the charges in a court of justice. Mr. McCormack pointed out that Mr. Justice Campbell was in error in associating him with Air. Goddard’s appointment as general manager of the Chillagoe Smelters. “I was not a member of the Government until several months later,” he said. “The report also condemns the Treasury officials for laxity at the time of the purchase of the Mun-' gana leases. The fact was that the purchase was made upon a report of an independent engineer, Mr. Poole, of Sydney. The additional factor that £300,000 worth of metal was obtained after tli- purchase of these mines is given nc consideration whatever by the Commissioner.' I believe if high grade ore only had been mined this venture would have proved profitable. “I was unable to attend the Royal Commission owing to a complete nervous breakdown, while in addition I knew that all the records ’ Mungana were available for anybody desirous of probing the history of the transactions.” DEFENCE OF MR. THEODORE. LABOUR LEADERS’ STATEMENTS. Sydney, July 8. Mr. J. Graves, president of the Australian Labour Party executive, and Mr. J. Garden, secretary of the Labour Coun-_ cil, representing the industrial and political wings of the Labour movement, have issued statements strongly defending Mr. E. G. Theodore. It is therefore assumed that if Mr. Theodore is to go before the electors of Dailey he will receive the Labour endorsement.