Farrell Goes Free

Extraordinary Sequel To NG Timber Inquiry

WHEN the Royal Commissioner, Mr.

Justice Ligertwood, reported to the Australian Prime Minister on the New Guinea timber lease scandal, he ab solved Minister E. J. Ward from blame; but he stated in the plainest possible language that the villian of the piece was a gentleman named Edward Farrell.

Farrell and “Jock” Garden formed a syndicate for the exploitation of timber leases which allegedly had been granted to Ray Parer. There were no such leases, Farrell, a shady character, by devious means induced the Queensland timber firm of Hancock & Gore Ltd., to pay no less than £50,000 for certain rights in connection with the alleged leases; and it was Farrell who received and distributed the money.

Numerous charges arose out of the cir cumstances, and were heard during 1948 and 1949. “Jock” Garden was sentenced to imprisonment on one charge; but Gar den, his son Harcourt, and Ray Parer were found not guilty of conspiracy.

Farrell w T as not tried with the Gardens and Parer, as was intended, because medical evidence was brought to show that he was ill. When the jury found the Gardens and Parer not guilty it was officially decided, apparently, that the charges against Farrell should be with drawn.

But the subsequent inquiry by the Royal Commissioner indicated that Farrell was guilty of a number of things—and the Royal Commissioner did not hesitate to say so, in the most deliberate and public way.

It was generally assumed that Farrell would be brought to trial immediately.

But, early in October, it was announced that the situation had been examined by the Federal and State Crown Law auth orities, and no action would be taken against Farrell. The Federal people blame the State—and it is not clear whom the State blames.

The net result of it all is that “Jock”

Garden is branded a criminal and remains in gaol; while Farrell, who seems to have been the principal in the whole sorry business, goes scott free. The opinion of the average Australian man-in-the-street cannot be printed in this respectable journal.

Mr. Pat Costello, of Suva, who is at present in Australia, has been on a visit to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, investigating the rice-growing industry.