PRIVILEGE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 959, 28 October 1910, Page 6

PRIVILEGE.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE HINE CHARGES.

COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION

SET UP.

The Committee of Privilege sot up by the Legislative Council to inquire into the question of breach of privilege raised in regard to tho charge made by Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., against the Hon. T. K. Macdonald, brought down the following roport yestorday afternoon:—

"This committee recommends that a message be transmitted to the House of Eepresentatives respectfully pointing out that their message No. 49, setting out the charge made by the hon. member for Stratford against the Hon. T. K. Macdonald, involves a breach of the privileges of the Council."

The Attorney-General moved that the report be agreed to, and that a message be sent to. the House of Representatives in terms of the recommendation. Tie committee to which the matter had been referred ga,ve it careful and thorough consideration, and should the report be agreed to he proposed to move that consideration of further action (if any) in connection with the matter be postponed. It would be wise in the interests of the Council that opportunity ehould be kept open to deal with possible contingencies which were at present unforeseen. For. this reason' and this alone he would ask the Council to postpone further action (if any). Hβ moved that the roport be agreed to. The report was adopted on the voices.'

Dr. Kiidlay was moving that further consideration of Message 49 and any further action (if any) in connection therewith be postponed, when the Hon. T. K. Macdonald asked that full investigation be. made by a Select Committee at the earliest possible moment into the charge made against him. He assumed that this would be done, and he would reserve anything he had, to say until the report of the Committee was before the Council.

~ Dr. Findlay said that in accordance with the suggestion made by the Hon. Mr. Macdonald he would move that a Select.Committee be appointed >to investigate, consider and report on. the charge contained in the message with power to call persons and papers. This was agreed to. . : . The Attorney-General, proposed thai the following members comprise the Select Committee:—The Hons. J. Biggi 'T. Thompson, J; E.' Jenkinson, J. B. Callan, J. R. Sinclair, J. D. Ormond, O. Samuel, C. M. Luke, and the mover. The' Hon. Mr. Onnond asked that his name'should not be included on the committee, as he would have to leave ' Wellington on business. ..'■."

The Attorney-General morod that the name of the Hon. Captain' Tucker be substituted for that of the Hon..' J. D. Orincnd, and with this alteration the committee was agreed ■ to. ' . "■ . ■

A message was received by the House of Bepresentatives, yesterday, from the Legislative Council stating that the charge brought by Mr. Hine against the Hon. T. K. Macdonald, ILL.C, involved a breach of the privileges of the Council. Mr. Massey: Is that so-? (laughter.) The Prime Minister suggested -that consideration of the messago should be deferred till next sitting day. Mr. Massey Qooularly): Until the land Bill has been disposed of. : "Oh, no," rejoined the Prime- Minister. The motion deferring consideration of the niossage was 'then' adopted. :.'

When the committee of the Legislative Council which has been.set lip to inquire into the charge against the Hon. T. K.>. Macdonald meets to-day, it will elect its chairman, decide whether the press ehould be admitted, ' determine whether the parties should bo allowed to be Tepresented' by counsel, ask the House to allow Mr. Hino to attend before the committee, and transact any other formal business.