BRIBERY INQUIRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 23 October 1926, Page 9

BRIBERY INQUIRY.

STATE PREMIER IN THE BOX. By Coble—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and’ N.Z. Cable Association SYDNEY-, October 22. The Premier (Mr J. T. Lang), giving evidence before the Bribery Select Committee, caused £, sensation, when he said the committee was not properly extending tho scope of the inquiry, in that* it should have included events connected with the Legislative Council its well as this Assembly. This view was strongly opposed by Dr Evatt, chairman, who stated that the committee was carrying out tho terms of tho resolution laid down by the Assembly. Mr Lang further stated that ho was of opinion that tho article in tho “Labour Daily” newspaper, previously cabled, was used as a stalking horse for an attack on him, and lie did not put tho serious construction on it that, some people did.

Again referring to the Council, be said he certainly thought there should bo come inquiry how Labour members of the Council had botrayed the parly by their dishonoured word, and stopped tho progress of the party in its most vital aspects in connection with tho abolition of the Council.

Mr Lang then staled that ho had boon credibly informed by a member of the Nationalist Council that he was going to get four members of the Labour Party to cross the, floor of tho House, and vote with tho Nationalists, or stay away, when tho voto was taken. This member of tile Nationalist Party was a high Government official, and infairncss to him Mr Lang would not divulge bis name, which the. committee did not press for.