"E. A. SMITH."

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 863, 8 July 1910, Page 5

"E. A. SMITH."

REFERENCE IN HOUSE. OFFICIAL STATEMENT TO-DAT. The relations existing between the High Commissioner's Office, London, and the firm of "E. A. Smii.li," in regard to which considerable curiosity was aroused during the recess, -were referred to in the House last evening. After tiie Address in-lieply dobate liad concluded, the I'rimo Minister stated that lie would like to make a statement" to the House with referoiioo to the case of "E. A. Smith." Mr. Massey thought he should be allowed to move a motion standing 111 his name first of all, and, having; been permitted lo do st>, proposed as under:— That there be laid before this House a return, as on July 1 of this year, f>howing-{l) The names of all persons employed in the High Commissioner's Office in London; (2) the duties iii connection with which they are employed; and (3) tho salary in each case. Mr. Massey said that there had been n great increase in the cost of this .Department in recent years. Members did not know of any increase in the business, unless it was as a result of the Departmenc taking j over the business of "E. A. Smith." His motion was for tho purpose of securing information to which (lie bald) the House was entitled. At that.stage he would make no further remarks on the subject. The Prime Minister said he offered no objection to the return, but portions of it could not be placed before the House till the information was obtained from the High Commissioner's Offict-. Re wished to deal with a case which had been most improperly elevated by the Opposition press to the position of a soundal —the case of "E. A. Smith." Mr. T. E. Taylor (Christchurch North) raised a point of order that Mr. Massey's motion did not refer to "E. A. ,Smith," who was not employed in the High Commissioner's office, and that the Prime Minister could not mention the matter until Mr. own notice of motion, dealing with that case specifically, was taken. The Prime Minister said he wished to refer to this case and the H<Svcs case as Boon as opportunity offered, 'and if he could not deal with tho matter then he would suggest that the House should adjourn, and he would make his statement and present correspondence to the House on the following day. Mr. E. A. Smith was employed in the High Commissioner's office by Sir F. Dillon Bell probably twenty years ago, and had been employed in.connection with that office ever since. They might not reach Mr. Taylor's motion that sight. Mr. Taylor suggested that intermediate motions should bo held over, and tho one dealing with "£. A. Smith" taken. Mr. Massey said he .wished the Prime Minister to make a statement so that the House would have the opportunity of discussing it. Tho Prime Minister said that if it was more satisfactory to the House he would mako a statement and submit the correspondence on the following day. Mr. Massey anil other members': Hear, hear. "For,the information of the country," added Sir Joseph, "I should like .to sny —as I have not had an opportunity to deal with this matter before—that a inoro bogus attempt to moke a scandal hail nover been perpetrated in this country." Mr. T. E. Taylor: Then the matter will come up to-morrow? The Prime Minister: Yes.