ALLEGED GRAFT.

Wairarapa Age, 21 June 1932, Page 5

ALLEGED GRAFT.

INVESTIGATIONS OPENED N.S.W. TRANSPORT APPOINTMENT AND TIN HARE PERMITS. MR. J. T. LANG IN THE BOX. (Received Monday, 8.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 20. Two Boyal Commissions appointed by the Stevens Government to investigate, respectively, a charge of misconduct against Mr. C. J. Goode, Chief Transport Commissioner, and the events leading to the restoration of mechanical hare racing, have opened. What has become known as the Goode inquiry relates to the actions of Mr. Goode while he was a Goods Yard Superintendent in the Railways Department. The ex-Premier. Mr. J. T. Lang, who was responsible for Mr. Goode’s appointment as Transport Commissioner, was the chief witness to-day. He said Mr. Goode had been regressed for whatever had happened while he was an officer of the Railw-ays Department, and, having been punished, he sent for him and offered him the position of Chief Transport Commissioner. He was an outstanding man. A tile of departmental papers was handed to Mr. I-a ng covering the charges of misconduct and Mr. Lang was asked whether he did not think the charges against Goode were pretty serious. Mr Lang answered: “It is not for me to judge a man.” “Surely,” asked Mr. Shand, who is assisting the Royal Commission, “you regard it as a. serious thing for a man dealing with Railway tenders to accept something from Railway contractors?” Mr. Lang replied: “If he did that, he should be dismissed. I sent the papers to the Crown Law Office. It is not my duty to say whether he is guilty or not.”

The inquiry was adjourned. The tin hare inquiry was adjourned after an opening address by Mr. Monaghan, who is appearing to assist the Royal Commissioner. Several instances of graft are alleged against three former Cabinet Ministers and certain . members of Parliament. A MISSING FILE. PAPERS RELATING TO GOODE. (Received Monday, 10.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 20. Mr. Shand questioned a number of witnesses, including Mr. Lang, concerning the whereabouts of a missing file of papers relating to Goode. Mr. Lang replied that he had no idea where it was. He added that he had not read the documents on this particular file. Mr. Lang described the proceedings against Goode as a man-hunt.