CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20514, 4 September 1936, Page 9

CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION

SENSATION IN WEST AUSTRALIA MEMBERS OF MINISTRY ASSAILED Untied Pres.” Association —Bv Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received September 3, 11.50 pin.) PERTH, September 3. Charges of corruption directed at certain members of the West Australian Mihistfy by Mr E. Hughes, member for East Perth, are likely to be the subject of a Royal Commission. Mr Hughes, speaking in the Assembly, alleged that the shareholders of the Labour newspaper “Westralian Worker” had been defrauded bf the controlling ownership by an organisation , led by the Premier, Hon. J. C. Willock; that £721 had been taken from union funds to defray the expenses of Mr Gray, an honorary Minister, who was prosecuted for an election offence which was followed by a free pardon for Mr Gtaf; that bookmakers were promised immtinity from prosecution if they contributed to the Government expenses at the last election, for .which they contributed £350. and that the GbodwOod Race Club, which was privately owned by a Victorian millionaire and run bV a legislator, was never prosecuted although committing an offence against the criminal code. T-” deputy Premier, the Hon. M. F. Trby. stated to-day that the Government intended to take all the steps necessary to protect itself. The persons mainly concerned in Mr Hughes’ attac' Were the Premier, who at present Is ill, the former Premier, the Hon. P. dollier, also the chairman of the Agricultural Bank, who was a former i”-’":ter of Works, Mr A. McCallum. Mr Troy added that no decision regarding the measures to be taken Would be made until Mr Wiilcock resumed duty.