CASE OF DR. HOTOP

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 175, 13 April 1918, Page 9

CASE OF DR. HOTOP

DEMAND FOR INQUIRY

QUESTION IN THE HOUSE

,- Reference to an incident which es- ' fcited considerable interest in Featherston Camp some months ago was made Ui the House of Representatives. Mr. V. Brown nave notice cf the following questions: (1) Whether it is true that a young soldier (Private H. 11. was sentenced by a mili.tary court on September 2, 1917, to a term of imprisonment for &llegiiig that Dr. Hrfop was drunk when he examined him? (2) If it is a fact that tlio dt-utikoimess of Dr. Hotop has become notorious in the camp, ;>nd that ho has been sent down to the West Coast on probation in tho hope of liis retrieving, hiniself. (3) Will the Government inquire into the truth of theso (statements, and. if they are true, will ihey iclease H. H. Thompson ?" Mr. Massey rose immediately alter jthe question had been read. Ho said .that the question put by the member for Napier evidently had reference to an officer of the Defence Department, and as it made rhnrges against an officer of tho Defence Department it was advisable that tlio question should |be looked- into instead of being allowed io go on the Order I'apcr of the House. Mr. Brown said that ho AVUs lUOST" anxious that .the matter should: be inquired into. Ho had no wish to say anything to injure anyone, but this Matter was serious, demanding inquiry. Mr. Massey: I can assure the honourable member that . neither She Prime Minister nor any member of tho Government is anxious (to prevent inquiry being made, •3rat it. may be that publication of tho (question in the way suggested may do an injustice to an innocent man, An hon. member: The innocent man may be'the one in gaol.. Mr. Speaker, said that, unless iie was suro that <i question was improper lie could ■ not prevent its being readi at the time of giving notice. It ~was almost impossible to say whether jo question was improper until it iwas read, but the custom , was ito examine all questions before they : were put on the ' Order Paper. He • thought it would be advisable to have fin alteration made in the Standing Orders to niake it necessary for members to submit questions to him before thoy,'were put to the House. Members should be very careful to see that no injustice would be 'done by their questions.

Mr. J. V. Brown: I have quite good grounds for asking the question. Mr. Payne: Tho case is-well knovra. Mr. Brown said he had not brought tap the questioff for tho purpose of injuring'anyone.

Sir James Allen asked whether the [question was going on tho Order Paper. Mr. Speaker: If may have to be modified.

, Sir. Brown said that ho would be <juite willing to withdraw the' question if .tho of Defence would promise that Inquiries would bo made in an impartial way. . Sir James Allen: This question has been inquired into very impartially. The statement that Dr. Hotop has ever been; seen in camp drunk is totally incorrect. . (Cries of "Oh! Ohl") There ; was a court-martial, a trial by a Military Court, for this soldier, Private H. H. Thompson, and the Court adjudged Thompson guilty. Dr. Hotop hais -been removed the camp. lam not sure •where' he' is now.-

Mr. Brown: I think Private Thompson is still in gaol. Sir James Allen ■ said he " -was not [talking about Private Thompson, but Bbout Dr. Hotop. He promised to have inquiry made and to give the information asked for.

Mr. Witty said he knew of a man ■who had taken another to Dr. Hotop and would not allow him to be examined because, of Dr. Hotop's . condition— not of health! :

Sir James Allen: Give me the name. Dr. Thacker: I can give other cases. Sir James Allen: Let me have all tho names. \ . •

Mr. Payno: Lot's have a Parliamentary inquiry and not leave it to you.