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WAR GRATUITY TRANSACTIONS
.INQUIRY IN PERTHQ.
- * Perth, Oct. 5.
The parliamentary select committee
appointed to inquire into the cash
ing of soldiers' war gratuity bonds,
consisting of Mr. A. A. Wilson
(chairman), Colonel Denton, and
Messrs Richardson, Corboy, and
McCallum, sat again to-day. The
committee adjourned yesterday in
order that Mr. C. A. Friel, the offi
cer in charge of the Federal Sub
Treasury, should attend and give
evidence.
When the proceedings opened to.
day the chairman, addressing Mr.
Friel, said a subpoena had been is.
sued by the committee, asking him
to appear and to produce documents
and papers relative to land, cash,
and other transactions with regard
to War gratuity bonds between sol
diers and certain named persons..
Mr. Friel: I received that.
The Chairman: We would like to
hear what you have to say in regard
to this matter.
Mr. Friel: The Treasury Depart
ment has instructed me not to take
any. action until 'they advise me, and
I am still awaiting the arrival of
instructions.
Have-you sent any wire to the)
East in connection with the matte'r
Yes. Two. The first the day after
the copunittee was-.appointed by
Parliament, and the second when I
received the sulipoena.
You refuse to give any evidence
without authority ?-Yes. I have
no option but to decline.
The committee wired to the Prime
Minister :--"The West. Australian
Parliament has appointed a select
committee to inquire into the scan
dals pertaining to' the disposal of
war gratuity bonds in' exchange for
land and other things,' thereby un
justly dealing with returned soldiers.
The committee respectfully requests
,that you authorise the, paymaster,
Mr. Friel, to appear before the
oommittee and give' all necessary
data to assist the committee to get
the "digger" a fair-. deal. Sergeant
Arthur A. Wilson, .M.L.A., ,chair
man of the: War Gratuity Select
Committee. Perth,"'
'In answer to a question from the
chairman, witness said that if he
received, instructions foomi Melbourne
to giver evidence he would be ready
to do so at a minute's notice.
Mr. Friel withdrew, and subse
quently the committee adjourned wn
lu Ada Wte o ad.
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