MARCONI SHARE SCANDALS.

West Coast Times, 19 February 1914, Page 3

MARCONI SHARE SCANDALS.

ERRORS OF JUDGMENT. [m rem ASSOCIATION.—COPTBIOBT.] 1 l/IXOOX, Feb. 17, In the House of Iranis. Viecoant Murray, after declaring that all his Marconi transactions bad already been disclosed, admitted an error of judgment in pnichaeing American shares on, his own account through the company. He was not interested in the Post Office contracts. The purchase for the libera) Party was also an error of judgment, though he regarded it as a pure investment. His colleagues were not aware of the purchase. He did not inform Mr. Illingworth. the Liberal Whip, because owing to the scandal, he preferred to 1 bear the responsibility himself. He admitted his actions were not wiae and expressed regret. Lord Ampthill’s motion to set op a committee of the House of Lords to enquire into Viscount Murray’s transactions has been postponed at the Marquis of Lansdnwne’s request. LIBERAL PEER’S EXPLANATION. LONDON. The House of I/mis was crowded to listen to the explanation of Lord Mur rav who as the Master of Elihank, was chief liberal W r hip. Lord Murray made an elaborate apology. It also his maiden speech the House of fiords. He admitted tha' both • the, purchases of Marconi's wore an error of judgment, but insisted that neither contained an element of dishonour. One of the Liberal Party’s solicitors was the only person acquainted with the transaction. Nohdy would have known anything about the transaction bnt for the failure of the stockbrokers. He resigned the Liberal , Whipship in February 1912, before ever ■he heard of Marconis, bnt he yielded to Mr. Asquith’s desire and retained office till the end of the session. lord Lan-downe admitted Lord Murray’s frankness bnt it was not wise to pronounce a hasty judgment. He urged the House to act in a judicial spirit, whereupon. Lord Ampthill postponed his motion. Lord Landsdowne subsequently convened a meeting of the Unionist Peers to consider the question of a committee of enquiry.