"TAMMANYISM."

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 894, 13 August 1910, Page 5

"TAMMANYISM."

MR. HINE'S ALLEGATIONS.

SPEECH BY THE HON.R. M'KENZIE.

•'ISTHAT A THREAT?"

■ Speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday Mr. Jennings, M.l', for Tauraarunui, said he thought it would bo well for him' to say something on the subject of "Tanimany.ism." Mr. liine's allegations related to tho purchase of big estates by the Government.. He did not want on that occasion to talk about tho question of com- ■ Emission, but as to who had got high values for their estates. It had- not boon members of the Liberal party; •iiij every. case in the Tarauaki district the owners had been associated with the Conservative • side of politics. Tho ■owners of those estates in Tarauaki, of.whom' Mr. .. Hiuc was speaking—the ■Baylys— ivefo Conservatives. Hon. J. Carroll: Inveterate. - Mr. Jennings said that the Ministerial benches had been feeding the class of people to whom he was referring to the detriment of those who had been the supporters of their own party. His electorate, for instance, had been starved during the past 12 months, whilst Opposition electorates had been granted their requirements. Even Mr. Hemes had stated that ho had been fairly well treated by the party in power. Was that "Tammanyism" ? Mr. Herries hod 'also stated that as long as the present system existed he would get as much as he could. Was that "Tammanyism",? (No.) A lot of this talk about "Tammanyism" was Jure fustian. Later on, Mr. Clark (Port Chalmers) declared, amid laughter, that if the Government did not give Government members what they wanted in the way of grants they would "have to. go out of office. "■ ■ ' ■ .'

REMARKS BY MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS. . "OTHER MEANS OF .'DOLING WITH MR. HINE." In the course of his speech on tho Budget, the Hon. R. M'Kenzie, Minister for Public Works, referred to Mr. Mine's allegations. He said,that certain people had at times tried to defame the reputation of members of the Government and membere of Parliament, but they.had failed on-each occasion. Until Mr. Hiue opened his mind he would-never, he could assure him, convince members of the House as to there being any truth'at all in his charges. They (the Government) were prepared to meet such charges on-every occasion. Members of Parliament-were upright, honest men, who would not be influenced by innuendoes in the slightest .degree. . Mr. Hino'should have the uprightness to tell the House or members of the Government tho details of his charges. Ho nhouid remember that by not doing so he was laying open all members to being concerned in a charge of bribery and corruption. . Memliers would be sure to' place him in proper position, so that ho would be'glad to open his mind. , . . Mr. Massey; Is that,a threat?. ; Mr. M'Kenzie: No. it is what is due to him. ' - ; .. ■ •

Mr. Massey: Give him the commission. • ■ Mr. M'Kenzie: Why? Mr.- Pearce:., ISeca'uso you dare nod. Mr. M'Kenzie said that Mr. ■ Hine would require first.-to show thorn something which would warrant the setting up of a commission. They would not set one up just, to please tlio Leader of the Opposition or anyone else. He then declared that, they would iiiid other meanß of dealing with Mr. Hine. Anyone who made such charges without divulging names was sure to be made, a marked man until he disclosed the. particulars, v; , . . Mr. Massey: Is. that the threat! , . Mr. M'.luMiaie: No/ if is purely a matter of justice. He added that Mr. Massey and the older members of'tho House knew that there was such a thing as etiquette in connection with Parliament. Members knew how to treat one another. They might have some works, it was true, at times. But when v it cuino to accusing members of .malpractice in a sub rosa manner it was a different matter. It could not be allowed to go unolialle'uged, and it would not bo allowed to do so.

MR. HARDY SPEAKS OUT. " 'TAMMANYISM' STILL REIGNS." A few words were also said on the' subject of "Tamnianyism" by Mr. Hardy, M.P. for Selwyn, who followed [ the Minister for Public Works. •'. Some time ago, _he remarked, new publi'n buildings wore required in Invercargill. •The Government had iii that instance made use of "Tamnianyism" by employing a private architect without calling for applications for competitive designs. (Hear, hear.) Then, again, what happened in .Chriatchurch? A.-private architect wa-s employed, and what would he cost? Even if.he were not engaged to look after tho erection of the buildthere would be no such outcry from £1200 to £1000.. The Minister for Public Works had praised his Departments, but why did he not allow his officers in the Government architect's office to.do the work in question? Mr.. Campbell, the Government , architect, ivas a good officer, and he had a good staff. But the fault was with the head of the Department—Sir. M'Kenzie. One or two draughtsmen in tho.office could have done the work under the supervision of ' the Government architect. If the Department had' called, for competitive designs in each case he would not have minded so; much.' '• ■ '

"But, sir," continued Mr. Hardy, " <Tainmanyism' : still reigns. 1 know it. You may call it 'Tammanyism' or 'Wardism, , or any other 'ism.' " , A member: Hardyism. Mr. Hardy: I am'hard of hearing. (Laughter.) .. . Continuing his remarks, Mr. Hardy said that if the cap fitted the' Government could wear it. If members/ on the Government side ivere not affected them would-be no such outcry fromthem. If the charges wore good, they would go homo, if they were bad they could not get there. Mr. Hiho had stated that ho. was prepared to substantiate his charges if ho were given a Royal Commission. ■ Members: And-he will, too. Mr. Hardy, continuing, said tliat Mr.. Hine had made his charges clearly and distinctly. It was for ,tlic Government to'accept the challenge, or say no more about it. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Carroll: He' has not yet made the charges fully. Mr. Hardy: They are made. \ In addition Mr.' Hardy said:'"Mγ.'' Carroll knows if there is any guilt. ' If ho does not he would not now apiwar as he does. We can leave it for them to judge: for themselves whether there is any guilt."