POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1374, 27 February 1912, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE PRIVILEGE COMMITTEE, INQUIRY TO BE OPEN TO PRESS, Another meeting wis held yesterday nftornnrm of the Committee constituted to report upon the questions of privilege arising out of the allegations that money was offered to tho member for Grey Lynn to persuade him to break his election pledges. ' Tho chairman (Mr. J. A. Hnmin) stated last evening that the Committee had decided that counsel should be allowed to conduct the cases of the various parties during tho inquiry, and that tho Committee also decided that representatives of tho press should bo admitted during tho taking of evidence, but not while tho Committee is deliberating. Tho first sitting of tho Committee to hear cvidenco will be held at 10.30 a.m. co-day. Sir. Massey'e withdrawal of all imputations against members regarding bribery does not necessarily make any difference to the work of tho Select Committee of Privilege. ; Tho Committee can only bo relieved of its duties by fresh instructions from the House. ' Further, there is Mr. Payne's allegation that ho was offered a bribe. This is quito independent of the other matters before the Committee. It is quite likely that the proceedings will be of a rather stormy Character. Application will be uiada to the House for leave for the Committee to sit during the afternoon sittings of the House, and for an extension of time. Having been appointed by the House, the Committee will not. be "affected by any change in the Ministry which may occur.

LOOKING FOR COMPANY. _ From an interjection which he uttered in the House last evening, it would appear that Mr. Payne, the member for Grey Lynn, who has. announced that lie will break his election pledges, is looking for company. Mr. Laurenson, speaking in the House of Representatives last evening, denounced the proposals to alienate Native lands as a breach of the provisions of the Treaty of Waitangi. At this stage (lie member for Grey Lynn found his opening. "They surely don't want to break u pledge, do they, Mr. Laurenson?" he said. "Well, I don't know, ask them," was all the reply offered by the member for Lyttelton.

"POISONING.PUBLIC OPINION." Speaking in the no-confidence debate last evening, the Hon. T. Mackenzie named as an abuse that must be stopped the action of people who wero "buying up newspapers all over tho place, and poisoning the public opinion of the country." These people, Mr. Mackenzie complained, called the matter of their publications "public opinion." "It is no more public opinion," he said heatedly, "than a draper's circular is." Unconsciously, he declared in his subsequent remarks, the new newspapers often "suppressed the truth, and suggested tlio false."

BRIEF MENTION. The Hon. T. Mackenzie stated last evening that a contributor to The Dominion had said that tho Agricultural Department cost, the country ,£750.000 a ysar. As a fact, it did not cost .£200,000 a year. A suggestion was made by Mr. R.. F. Bollard (Raglan) in, the House last evening that Huntly should bo uiado a stop-pine-place for. "the Main Trunk express trains.

MR. ATMORE'S VOTE. (By Telccrapb- Pres« Association.) ?, Nelson, February 26. An interesting visitor arrived at Nelson 011 Friday. Jle seems to liavo had the interest of the Government very much at heart. He interviewed members of Mr. Atmore's committee, pointing out the advisableness of Mr. Atmore voting for the Government. Several members wired tj Mr. Atmore to vote for the Government, but liavo since regretted it. Mr. Atmore did not pledgo himself in the election campaign, anil may bo depended upon to •vote 011 the merits, of the motion. • The Waterside Workers' Union to-night resolved to telegraph-to Mr. Atmoro urging him to support the Ward Government on n no-coniidenco motion.