MR. J. J. MEIKLE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 991, 5 December 1910, Page 9

MR. J. J. MEIKLE.

—— _ . COMPENSATION AWARDED. £5000 PROPOSED. REDUCED BY ONE-HALF. Parliament has at last decided to compensate Mr. J. J. Meiklo for wrongful imprisonment. An item of £5000 for this purpose appeared in the Supplementary Estimates, just as it did three years ago, but this timo the fight against it was only successful so far as to reduce tho amount by one-half. Mr. Anderson (Mataura) moved to reduce the vote, "Compensation to Mr. J. J. Jloikle in full and final paymont for wrongful imprisonment, £5000," by £4999. He said no reason had ■ been shown why tho previous decision of the Houso should be reversed. Tho Prime Minister said that in order to. carry out tho report of the Royal Commission on tho Meiklo case, tho Government had to do something. Tho members of the Government were not unanimous in the matter. He read the clause of the report of the commission (consisting of two Supremo Court Judges), in which it was stated that, if their inquiry had been a retrial of , Meikle on the charge of sheep-stealing, of which ho was convicted in 1887, they would havo directed a jury to acquit him. He (the Prime Minister) had promised a deputation that either a retrial should bo granted or Parliament should bo asked to legislate and voto coni- ' pensation. Tho latter alternative was adopted' as more practicable. Cabinet had never been unanimous in tho matter, but what was proposed was, ho thought, the duty of the Government. In reply to questions, it was stated that the members of the Royal Com-* mission were Judges Edwards and Cooper, and that their inquiry was held 1 in 1906. [ Mr. Fisher strongly supported the . vote. Ho remarked that something had ! been said recently about a "Higher Hand" dealing with someone's enemies. ; It was noticeable that out of seven members who. strongly opposed a mea- ' Euro of recompense to Mr. Meiklo on a provious occasion one died soon after and the other six—(the remainer of the ' sentence was drowned in laughter). _ ' In the course of further discussion, Mr. Davey (Christchurch East) said ho ' wanted-to know whether the money would go to Mr. Meiklo, or whether a syndicate would got a big share of it. ' He would object to voting money for a company to make a profit out of. a : man's misfortunes. The amendment to reduce tho vote ! was, on division, lost by 28 to 15. *', Mr. Anderson then moved' to reduce ' the voto by £4500. There was no fur- ' ther debato, and on division the amendment was. defeated by 29 to 17. Mr. Luko desired to havo the money .invosted by. the Public Trustee so as to grovido an annual payment to Meiklo. [is motion to that effcct was ruled out of order by the Chairman. Mr. Nosworthy (Ashburton) then moved to reduco the item by £2500, and tlio Houso again divided, with the result that tho amendment was carried. For tho reduction (26).—Allen, Buchanan, Biiick, Clark, Craigie, Dillon, Duncan, T., Field, Fraser, Guthrie, Hall, Hardy, Hogg, Mackenzie', .T., Massoy, Newman, Noswortliy, Pcarce, Pbillipps, Reed, Ross, Scott, Smith, Stallworthy, Steward, Taylor, T. E. Against the reduction (18). —Buddo, Carroll, Ell, Fisher, Guinness, Herries, Hogan, Jennings, Lang, Laurensou, Lawr.v,.,Luke, Macdonald, M'Laren, Millar, Taylor, E. H., Ward, Wright. h .-.Subsequently,-:„..Mr. Anderson, (Ma-, taura)" moved as 'an amendment that the total vote for the whole class bo further ; rcduced by £5 as a protest against any payment to Mr. Meikle. Tho amendment was negatived on the voices.