DEMOCRAT LEADERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 221, 18 September 1936, Page 8

DEMOCRAT LEADERS

ORGANISER’S CLAIM BAULF CROSS-EXAMINED [Per Press Association] AUCKLAND, Sept. 17. The hearing of the claim by Baulf against the former Democrat Party leaders was resumed in the Magistrate's Court before Mr. Wyvern Wilson. Plaintiff was examined by Mr. Buller, who is appearing for Davy. Baulf said that he was engaged by the United Parly in 1928. He hau not been fully paid. This was the first time witness had made a claim against Davy personally. Wnen he was engaged in October there was no Democrat Party. He regaroed Davy and Goodfellow as partners in the movement. He denied that the original agreement with Goodfellow was for him to be paid 14 a week. Relations were then becoming strained between Goodfellow and Davy. He received £4 weekly from Goodfellow and £2 from the organisation in June and was given an assurance ol payment. Cross-examined by Mr. Elliot, who is appearing for Hislop. Baulf said that he looked to the Dominion executive for payment. He considered that Hislop was a member Gf tne Dominion executive. As a prospective leader Hislop first came into tne picture in July. He joined Hislop as defendant on legal advice. He understood that some of the debts were paid by Hislop. Mr. Dickson: “You rang Hislop on the telephone once?” Baulf: “Yes. I asked him for an advance as I knew he had £lOOO oi party funds. He was very rude to me, and said he Mould see me in heli before he would give me a cent." Mr. Elliot objected to further questioning on this line on th*' ground that Hislop had not a chance of being cross-examined on the point. Mr. Dickson mentioned that Hislop was at present arranging to pul he financial commitments with the democrat Party tn arbitration. Mr. Elliot objected to further ques.ioning on these lines on the ground hat Hislop had not had a chance of being cross-examined on the point. Mr. Dickson mentioned that Hislop was at present arranging to put his financial commitments with the Democrat Party to arbitration. Robert Alexander Denny, insurance •nspector. who was the next \vitn~s=. raid that Davy had approached him n tell him he was forming a new tarty. “He asked me would I be in. said ‘Yes. provided the finances are ill right.'” At a subsequent meeting •n organisation known as th® D®mo'rat Party was formed and in April nr June. 1935. witness became treasurer and a member of th® Auckland committee. He act#>d in an honorary capacity. Baulf was sunposed to put in a statement of his accounts fortnightlv. Tho-e statements were put before the commit?e" of which Donald was chairman. Baulf had raised th® ones*ion of mon n v mt - »ng to him before Don ®Id and Donald had said that it would h® naid. but that Baulf would have to wai*. Tt was generally understood that the mon®' would com® from Wellington. Et K hpd n~ked at various tiiTDS abo* t th® monev and had always been to’d it would he naid. The acc’”'' , <v of figures had not to witness' knowledge av®” been challenged. “Where are th? books no v ? ask°d Mr. D’ckson. referring to the question of the accounts. “Oh T don’t know. I last <aw Th®ri in a drawer in a deck in the office.’* said witness. “Where did you receive rhe mo-®v f’-nm to run this organisation ** ••Excent, for th® last cheoue for £3<Y» and it was received di r ®ct from Wellington. it was banked by Donald Presumably it cam® from WellingWitness <Jross-Exanrn®<l Under cross-examination bv Mt. North witness said that Goodfellows carlv advances to rover salaries were in the nature of advances to the organisation to put it on its feet. Witness said that he know no* hi ng o, any refunds to Goodfello”- of the monev he had advanced. Donald had paid into th® Auckland tru-t account nt the bank approximate!'’ £5O »n June. £75 in July, and £125 in August. Witness was nor aware where th® money was coming from. Thev were to have received £lOO a month from Wellington. Replying to Mr North, witness said that Baulf put .n a list of his expenses each month He was paid irregularly. Denny was questioned by counsel concerning the books of the organisation. They had been kept, he said, by Miss Foster. He had asked about the books following the election, and hao been told that she did not know where they were. Spencer Bruce Clark public accountant, of Wellington, said he had become interested in the part) some months after its inception. He was appointed Dominion secretary on March 26. 1935. When further questions had been put regarding the finances of tne party. Mr Wyvern Wilson remarked: “It doesn’t look as though they had unearthed anyone to be Minister pf Finance.’’ Mr Dickson: “In the shadow. Mr Donald was to be Minister of Finance.” Witness said that £lOO a month was to have been paid to Auckland, but it was not always paid regularly, and to his knowledge th® Dominion executive had never objected to Baulf's claim. If Hislop had handed over the balance of the £3200. what would have happened to these accounts? These accounts would have bee paid. Under questioning by Mr North concerning the evidence of Hislop heard in Wellington, witness said that it was definitely organisation money. “I have no doubt of it.” he said. Did you object to the £lOOO going to him? At this Mr Elliot objected on the ground of irrelevancy. Mr North was allowed to continue. Witness, answering, said that he did not approve. Th hearing was adjourned till Tuesday week.