QUEENSLAND NATIONAL BANK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6120, 5 March 1898, Page 5

QUEENSLAND NATIONAL BANK.

o - A HEATED COERESPONDENCE. United Press Association— By Electric TelegraphCopyright. Beceived March b, 1.5 a.m. BRISBANE, March 4. A very warm correspondence between Sir T. M'llwraith and Sir H. M. Nelson over the Queensland National Bank is published by Sir T. M'llwraith in the local press. Sir Hugh Nelson, in a letter to Sir T. M'llwraith, told him that the Labour party was making capital out of the situation. Some Government supporters also had combined with them to make it appear that the delay in publishing the report of the Committee of Investigation arose from the desire of the Government to shield Sir T. M'llwraith. The Government had determined to do everything to secure him equitable treatment, but the partnership with Drury considerably weakened his position. Sir H. M. Nelson at first was disposed to comply with the request that the Committee of Investigation should proceed to Europe to : take Sir T. M'llwraith's evidence, but soon found that the latter's own t'rionds were Btrongly of opinion that to do so would be fatally inimical to Sir T. M'llwraith's own interests ; that, moreover, the existence of the Government depended upon the publication of the committee's report, and that, in view of the ! whole position and the paramount importance of the public as compared with any other interest, he was satisfied that justice . would be done by publication. He cabled to Sir T. M'llwraith advising him to resign. His own opinion was that if the Press ceased stirring up the matter the whole affair would quickly drop into oblivion. Sir T. M'ilwraith forwarded a hostile reply. In this he considered that Sir H. M. Nelson's delay in writing on the subject •was the grossest and most criminal neglect of a colleague, and that as the committee intended making charges he demanded to be heard before the report was submitted. Sir H. M. Nelson faithfully promised a full opportunity to reply to any charges, and also ; promised to cable these charges, but never did 60. He, therefore, asserted that Sir . H. M. Nelson, Ministers, the House and the ; Press had passed judgment with a ferocity [ unparalleled even in colonial warfare. In another letter commenting on Sir H. M. Nelson's failure to cable the charges, . Sir T. M'Hwrajth says, "God deliver me i from friends if they are of your kind."