LABOUR CIRCLES PERTURBED.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18613, 8 July 1930, Page 9

LABOUR CIRCLES PERTURBED.

Federal Treasurer Resigns. ECHO OF MINING SCANDALS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 7, 7 p.m.) CANBERRA, July 7. The Federal Cabinet met specially ! to-day to consider the outcome of the Mungana inquiry. Mr Scullin announced that he would himself take over the Treasurer’s portfolio. The Budget* will be delivered on Wednesday or Thursday. It is expected the Prime Minister’s statement to the House, when it meets to-morrow will be followed by a detailed explanation from fylr Theodore of his position. Labour political circles consider the next move regarding the Mungana report must come from the Queensland Government. If it takes no action, labour will consider what Mr Theodore can do to clear his name, and how far he can be assisted officially. “DASTARDLY PIECE OF PARTISANSHIP.” MR THEODORE’S INDIGNANT OUTBURST United Press Association—By Electric T el egraph—Copy righ t SYDNEY, July 7. All the morning papers feature, in glaring headlines the Mungana and Chilagoe Commissions reports, and the findings, such as “Theodore and McCormack Guilty of Fraud and Dishonesty.” The “Daily Guardian” says Mr Theodore’s resignation of the Federal Treasureship is likely as a result of the report. On being interviewed here to-day, Mr E. G. Theodore, Federal Treasurer, characterised the Mungana ‘ Commission’s report as a dastardly piece of partisanship. The Commissioner had condemned him without hearing him. had probed into his bank accounts and private affairs, and had closed an inquiry without giving him the opportunity of speaking for himself. The Treasurer considered the findings unjust and based on ex parte statements of his political enemies, who had pursued him relentlessly with the object of driving him out of politics.

Mr Theodore said he had never had an interest in the Mungana property or leases. He had been unjustly treated and the matter could not be allowed to rest. As to his intentions politically, he must place himself in his party’s hands and would do anything it considered necessary to avoid embarrassing the Labour movement on his account.

QUEENSLAND INQUIRY. TERMS OF REFERENCE. I The chief terms of the direction to the Commission were:— (1) Circumstances surrounding the appointment of Peter Louis Goddard as Chillagoe Mines Manager. 2) His management of the works I and property. (3) His conduct in the performance 1 of his duties. i (4) His interests (if any) in any j firm, company, or business having busi- j ness relationships with him as Chilla- | goe Mines manager. (5) Circumstances surrounding the ! forfeiture of certain leases at Chilla- j goe and their acquisition by Frederick | Reid; the formation of Mangana ! Mines, Ltd., and its acquisition of ' leases; the sale of those leases to the Government; and the purchase of ores i from those leases. (6) The formation of the Fluor Spar j Mining Co., Ltd., and the Argentum Mining Co., Ltd. (7) The dealings between Peter Louis Goddard, or any person, with those two companies and the firm of Goddard and Reid. (8) The conduct and interest of any Minister of the Crown or person • having any public or official position ! under the Crown in relation to any of the above transactions. CLEARING LEGAL POSITION. QUEENSLAND PREMIER’S ACTION United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph—Copyrigh t BRISBANE, July 7. The Crown Law Office has been asked by the Premier (Mr A. E. Moore), to advise the Government as io the necessity for or nature of further action consequent on the Mungana-Chil-lagoe report. * Mr Moore said Mr Theodore’s assertion that the whole aim was to assassinate him politically was without foundation. REPLY TO MR THEODORE. STATEMENT BY STATE PREMIER. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 7, 9.5 p.m.) BRISBANE, July 7. The Crown Solicitor stated that Mr McCormack had been informed when the Mungana Commission would be opened. He was served in Sydney with a subpoena, but no word was received officially as to whether he would attend and give evidence. His sister, Miss Mary McCormack, while giving evidence, had stated that her

brother was an inmate of a private hospital in Sydney, undergoing treatment. He had been there for three months. The Premier (Mr A. E. Moore) stated that Mr Scullin had telegraphed for a copy of the evidence and the Commission’s findings. This had been sent to Canberra by air mail. Mr Moore added: “There is not much use Mr Theodore saying that his trouble is the outcome of a political p}ot. The fact was that I (Mr Moore) had asked for a Royal Commission, while Leader of the Opposition, but the Government then refused to grant it. and there -was no question as to whether Mr Justice Campbell was a fit and proper person to act as a Royal Commissioner. He is regarded as one of highest judicial authorities in the country.” INTEREST IN POLITICAL CIRCLES. ACTIVITY' IN OPPOSITION CAMP. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 8, 12.12 a.m.) SYDNEY. July 7. [ Before leaving Sydney to-night for Canberra, Mr Theodore was asked whether he could indicate where Mr McCormack (former Premier of Queensland) could be found. He replied: “He telephoned me only to-day from Darlinghurst, where he is staying, informing me that he was preparing a statement in reply to the Mungana Commission’s findings, which he hoped the Press would print.” Mr Latham (leader of the Federal Opposition) in an interview said that a meeting of the Opposition was being held to-morrow, at Canberra, when Mr Theodore’s position would be considered. Quite likely the Prime Minister would be requested to declare Mr Theodore’s seat vacant. Mr Latham added: “We shall insist that the dignity and honour of Parliament shall be preserved.”