Heated Exchanges In Court On Timber Leases

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 January 1948, Page 5

Heated Exchanges In Court On Timber Lease s

MINISTER OF CROWN AND COUNSEL (N.Z.P. A.—Copyright.) Reed. 10.5 p.m. Sydney, Jan. 23. Heated exchanges between the Minister of External Territories (Mr. E. J. Ward) and counsel for John Smith Garden were a feature of the proceedings in a special Federal Court to-day where charges against Garden are being heard. Garden is being charged on three counts arising out of an alleged deal concerning New Guinea timber leases. He is accused of forging and falsifying official documents while a liaison officer of the Federal Department of Labour. Cross-examined by counsel for the defendant, Mr. Simon Isaacs, Ward called counsel "a dirty liar,” and added: “All your questions have been pure humbug, and you know it.” Questions which led to the outburst dealt with an application by an aviator, Ray Parer, for permission from the Department to visit the Bulolo Valley. Ward denied knowledge of the existence of a syndicate of which Garden and Parer were members, and of telegrams sent by Garden to the negotiating company. Mr. Isaacs: Were you not in this transaction up to your neck? Ward. You’re a liar. Mr. Isaacs: Isn't it a fact that your share was £20.000 in this transaction? —No. You’re a dirty liar Mr. Isaacs: Five thousand pounds from the first payment and then £15,000 from the balance?—l knew nothing about it and put investigation officers on when I heard, Mr. Isaacs: You don’t deny that £5OOO was produced in £lO notes?— You’re a liar!

The cross-examination continued witii Mr. Isaacs asking a number of questions about a safe deposit box held by Ward in his own and his wife's name. Mr. Isaacs said it had been established that £37,500 had been paid by the Brisbane Timber Company to a member of the syndicate. Mr. Isaacs: You will agree it is convenient to have a safe deposit for a large sum of money? Mr. Ward: It is convenient for very disreputable people, but I am not in that class. Mr. Isaacs: You put yourself out of that class?—Yes—not in your class. Witness denied having other transactions. He said he had no investments in any private company, and that the few investments he had were in Commonwealth loans. To another question as to whether he paid for shares in a Sydney firm acquired by another man, Ward again shouted: “You’re a liar!” I Mr. Isaacs: Why do you keep on' repeating I’m a liar? —You keep on 1 reminding me of the fact. Following a further clash, Mr. Ward said: “I have a clear conscience. I know you are only on a muckraking expedition and I have nothing to be worried about.” At this stage certain documents were produced on subpoena by William Morris Urquhart, Secretary of the Sydney Pincombe Proprietary Limited and by a representative of the Commonwealth Bank, Mr. Ward again denied being interested in the company. To further questions as to whether Garden had claimed unfair treatment of Parer, Ward said that Garden had referred to him as a "rubber stamp MMinister” and that he had replied: “I am neither a rubber stamp for you, nor the heads of the department.” The hearing was adjourned till Monday. (See earlier story on page 2>.