PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2234, 4 July 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

SECRET COMMISSIONS. A GOVERNMENT BILL. [Special to “Times.”] AA r dSDLINGTON, July 3. Tlio object of tho Secret Commissions Bill which has been introduced by tlio Prime (.Minister is tq ronder illegal tlio practice of agents ill secret •.accepting payments and other valuable considerations from third persons .in respect of the business of the principals. “There is every reason,'”, says the memorandum ’.attached to tho Bill, “to boliovo that this practise is very widely spread and that it exorcises a pernicious influence upon tlio oonimcrieil morality of the community. It lias already been found necessary to pass legislation for this purpose in ‘England, Victoria; and tho Commonwealth <jf Australia. The present ißill creates the following offences : —(1) Tho giving of secret bribes or other considerations to agents by third persons; (2) tlio receiving of secret bribes or other considerations by agents from third persons; (3) tlio concealment by an agent'of his pecuniary interest in a contract made by him on behalf of his principal; (!) tho giving to ail agent by a third person' of a false or imperfect receipt, invoico or. other document with intent to deceive the principal; (5) the giving by an agent to Ills principal of any sucli document. The memorandum proceeds :“The praetico to be stopped assumes so many different forms and is so easily disguised that if tho Act is to be effective it must be drawn in the most complete terms. As so drawn it is quite’ possible that it includes certain practises which, in themselves, are not open to objection. It is not .practicable, howover, to foresee and exempt these cages and it is provided accordingly by way of safeguard (as has also been dorio in England and Victoria) that no prosecution can be instituted without the consent of _ the AttorneyGeneral. This provision will effectually prevent the Act from being used except in oises which come within the spirit of it, as well as within its letter. Any person convicted on indictment of an offence under the Act s hall be liable, if a corporation, to a fine not exceeding £IOOO, and, •If any other . person, to imprisonment I' t any period not exceeding. two -rs, or to a flue not exceeding £509. Any person summarily convicted of'' an offence under the Act shall be liable, if a corporation, to a. fine not exceeding £SO, and if any other person to imprisonment for any period not exceeding three months, or to a line not exceeding £SO.

CORONERS AND INQUESTS. A PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The Cormiers Amendment Bill, which lias been introduced by the Minister for Justice, proposes to amend the law as to Coroners’ inquests. It is provided that an inquest may be held by the Coroner alone without a jury; unless in any particular case the Coroner thinks tint a jury ought to be .summoned, or the AttorneyGeneral gives directions to that effect. This is now the Jaw in Victoria. Itis provided that it shall bo unnecessary that a Coroner or his jury shall view a dead body. A partial exemption from this necessity is already created by the Public Health Act. It is further proposed that interested persons may attend and examine witnesses and that witness’ expenses may be paid. At present there is no power to allow any expenses except those of the jury and of medical witnesses.

Speaking about Coroner's and juries to-night, Mr. Vi]ford told the’ story of an Auckland, jury who had evidence before them that an artillery man wli 0 had the measles and had been jilted, had blown out his brains, yet the jury returned a verdict that- he died through measles and jealousy. . ' ~ ■ Mr. Stallworthy lias given notice to move for a return for the years 1906 and 1907 showing— (1) The number of coroners in the Dominion; (2) tlie moneys paid to each, and to the coroners iff the four centres for'personal expenses and fees; (3) the total amount paid to the other coroners of tho Dominion for fees and expenses, stated separately; (4) the total amount paid to coroners and jurors throughout the Dominion for their services; and (3) the total amount paid to witnesses at coroners’ inquests for their attendances.