THE COMMITTEE'S DECISION.

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

THE COMMITTEE'S DECISION.

LETTER DEMANDED. ME. MASSEY "RESPECTFULLY DECLINES." Having heard further legal argument, the committee deliberated in private. When it resumed in open meeting, the chairman stated that the committee had decided that Mr. Massey should be asked to produce, the letter referred to in this charge. Mr.' Myers: Mr. Massey will have no alternative but to respectfully decline. It would, be very wrong of him to oxpose his correspondent, or other persons who may l>o mentioned in tho letter, to possible actions for slander. . Mr. Hanan: Will Mr. Massey give the name of ■the writer?

Sir. Myers: No, sir! I am afraid thero is tho same objection to answering that question. Hγ. Hannn: Mr. Mnssey refuses to give the name of thn writer. Mr. Myers: lii'spectfully declines. Mr. Itussell said that Mr. Masse.y should ho sworn as a witness, and definitely'asked by the chairman whether he would produce tho letter. Mr. Myers (smiling):. Mr. Mnssey has authorised me to make that 'statement. Sir Joseph Ward: May I speak for myself as onn of those concerned, and say that while I don't— Mr. Allen: I don't see that Sir. Joseph Ward is concerned in this charge- in any why whatever. Sir Joseph Ward: Yes, I am. Tho chairmaii ruled that Sir Joseph Ward might bo heard. Prime Minister Satisfied. Sir Joseph. Ward, stated that, although Mr. Massey, through his lawyer, had refused to produce tho. original letter he would not press for its production either in the House or before thn committee. Hβ wanted his reasons to be clearly understood. He was very anxious to know who tho writer was who was responsible for making such statements about public men, and ho wanted' also to know who tho blanks referred to. But now that Mr. Massoy had refused to produce the letter, ho failed to see, under the circumstances, what use tlierewas of the Committee trying to force the production when Mr. Massey's lawver had Riven his reasons for refusi'ut; to produce, it. AVhilo he did not think I hat the reading of Ihn extract in the House, mid its publication throughout tho country were in any way justified, nothing would be gained by pressing for the product bn of tho letter. Ho thought, with all due deference to Mr. .'Wleii, that tho letter hud reference amongst others lo himself. Mr. Russell: I submit thnt we are froinj? lo establish a most important precedent, 'i'ho House hns dcclnral the act to be n breach of privilege Tho foundation of that act is tho writing, and publishing of a letter. Mr. Noswnrthy: An extract. Mr. Russell: The House has ordered us to inquire into tho writing and publishing of the letter and the extract, and it' wo aro going to admit that we are not prepared to carry out the instruction of tlio House, Ihe'n wo are going to abrogate a most -.important )>nrt of our duly. We aro how as a Committee of privilege. Next month or next year another hreuch of privilege may bo made by someone not havinp; the. ablu assistance of Mr. Myers, and not occupying the high position in tho House that Mr. Massey occupies, and [ submit that unless we tarry out our duty wn shall establish a dangerous precedent. ]n my opinion, Mr. Mas-ey should be treated as an ordinary witness, put upon hi- oath, and asked by the chairman, L uuder instructions I'rani this Commit tea,

Mo produce tliis letter. His refusal should In! taken down as u portion n[ the evidence, and reported tu the lfim?e. Air. Fra-jor: Are we fjoiuji to have (ho opinion of each, member of the Committee Muted in this way? His (Mr. Russell's) ai'Kiinißiil: was one Hint should be addressed to this Conimillcß when it deliberates. .Sir Joseph Ward's statement was simply a statement of his personal view of the ;inntter, but Hid committee, of course, has ii duty of its own to perform, and it will perform it without a doubt. -Mr. llanan: The question we'have to consider is what action, if any, should we •I'nko in bringing Mr. Massey's refusal bni'oro the House'. Mr. Jlas.s'ey refuses to accede to certain requests by this committee. The committee should deliberate. A Slight Misunderstanding. Mr.. Skerrett:: I am instructed bv Mr ■Pa.yno to say that he has no personal leeiings in the matter. So far as his : personal feelings are concerned, he does •not desire to press for the production of the. letter. His point of view is (hat the , letter is so discredited now that it is unworthy of further notice. Mr. Hanan said that perhaps Mr. Brown might have something to say. Jlr. Allen protested, contending that the case under review did not concern Jlr. ■ Brown. Mr. Hauan said that he had been impelled, by a desire to help Mr. Jfnssey. Mr. Skerrett now asked leave to make another statement. "I just now made a 'statement on behalf of my client," he observed, "believing that 1 was correctly representing his view. I understand now that 1 completely misunderstood Mr. Payne, and ho desires to insist, so far as he may, upon the. production of the letter. I regret that I misunderstood my client's view." The committee now deliberated in private.