MR HUGHES’ £25,000

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1920, Page 3

MR HUGHES’ £25,000

MOVE TO DECLARE HIS SEAT VACANT.

SYDNEY, Dec. 8. J The Labour Party has professed to take great offence at the acceptance ■ the other day by Mr Hughes of a sum of £25,000, given to him as a testi- . monin 1 by admirers in all parts of the Empire. The Labour Party says it sees in this indubitable evidence tnat Mr Hughes has sold himself to the wealthy classes. ! The Labour Party has now gone a. step further and declares that legal ad- . vice which it has taken shows that Mr Hughes, by taking the money, has vitiated his right to sit in Parliament. It bases its contention on the following clause in the Constitution, headed, “Vacancy: Happening to Disqualify.” The clause reads: “If a Senator or Member of the House of Represents-, tives takes or agrees to take any fee or honorarium for services rendered to the Commonwealth or for services rendered in.. Parliament to any person or State, his seat will thereupon become vacant.” It is believed that the Labour Party lias decided to take a certain course of action in this matter, but its nature iias not been disclosed'. It is worth noting, however, that Parliament must finally decide any question raised in a matter of this kind. If it should find its way to the High Co'urt, however, the lawyers will have the time of their lives. Does the gift to Mr Hughes, which is similar in cliaracter, but larger than scores of gifts made to other politicians, come within the description “any fee or honorarium for services rendered to tlui Commonwealth ?”

The words on the cheque presented to Mr Hughes were: “On account of services rendered during the war and at the Peace Conference.”