CO129-590-11 Commission of Enquiry into irregularities in Immigration Departments 22-4-1941 - 19-12-1941 — Page 141

53

X

Mr. Brown: The Treasury has no responsibility?

Mr. ydney: It is responsible in that it must report all

A.

144

shortcomings in that way to Government. Colonial Regulation 189 (1): "to see that a proper system of account is established

in every apartment of the Colonial Government", and 190; "The

Treasurer" (that is the ccount nt-General in this case) "will report to the Colonial ecretary any material irregularity in connexion with the public accounts that may have been brought to his notice". Beyond that I have no power to select staff or dismiss staff or even to reprimand staff for not carrying out its duties. Even in my own department my disciplinary powers are somewhat limited and subject to

hen would you report?

you choose a time?

Would you be called upon, or would

As soon as it came to my kno 1 edge I would report.

This did not come to your knowledge until some time after the Department had been opened?

A. My first report to Government was dated it is in my

evidence—it was early in Jamary; and on 16th January, the day after the Department opened to the public, I sent Mr.Barton as my representative to inspect the accounts. It the same time Mr. a.J.C. Teylar visited the office, and as a result of the disclosures made then I immediately reported to Govern ent

in the terms of my first mimte to Governeat which is in

0.9.0. 2067/11.

ment

r. Forrest: Is that the day after the Department opened or the

day after the Grdinance came into force?

When the office was opened.

d. That was in November. What happened between that time and

the time when the Ordinance came into force? Was not cash

being received then?

A. Cash was being received for permits and at that time, in order

to assist the Immigration Officer, I even agreed to allowing certain monies which he had received, as he stated this morning,