THE PRIVILEGE INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1376, 29 February 1912, Page 6

THE PRIVILEGE INQUIRY.

t- . ALLEGED OFFER OF MONEY I STATED TO BE A JOKE \ A: EVIDENCE COMPLETED i COMMITTEE TO REPORT TO-DAY

Tie committee, set up by the House of fcopresentatives to inquire into questions of privilege, arising ■ out ' cf ■ statements made in tho House concerning an,alleged offer of money to the member for Grey Lynn, concluded (bo taking of evidence yesterday, and will report'to the House to-day. Members present, when the committee met in the morning were Messrs. jJ.;,Hauan (chairman), G. , M. Thomson, •ir.;:'lllen, E. P. Lee, G; W. Russell, J. •Robertson, W. Nosworlhy, W. Eraser, W. ■A.-'Veitch, V. H. Reed, and the Hon. ,T. 'A. Millar. Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Mnssey, Mr? .T. Vigor Brown, Mr. J. Payne, Mr. ,0. 'M'Master, and a number of members t>f Parliament who are not members of tho committee also attended. Mr. M. Myers appeared on behalf of Mr. Massey, Hγ.-' C. P. Skerrett for Mr. Payne, and Mr/ T. Young for Mr. M'Master. The first order of reference being called upon, Mr. Myers stated that he did not desire to make an opening statement. Mr. Skerrett submitted- that Mr. Massey was in the position of prosecutor, and should first make out his case. Mr. Myers, said that Mr. Massey had nothing to add to what ho had said in the Uou-se on Monday evening. Mr. Eraser contended that since the House hud declared that a breach of privilego had been committed, Mr. Jlassey Occupied rather the position of defendant than of prosecutor. Mr. Skerrett admitted that ho.might linvo used nn unfortunate term, but ho insisted'that tho duty devolved upon Mr. Massey .of • affirming the truth of theso charges,-i ■'.. - '•■ ■ •