SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1924, Page 1

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

AHA INST WESTPORT SOLICITOR. .MADE lIY MR HOLLAND. WELLINGTON, Au K . Alle"»tioiis against the Crown I’rosi-i-tttor of Westport were made in Parliament to-ni"ht hy Mr Holland, who lenniniled the most complete investi"alion into Mr Wilson’s conduct as solicitor for three estates. Mr Holland said'there were alienations that Mr Wilson had made a charge For work that he never did, and also in two of the three instances quoted chained his clients for intorviewiii" them when they were pressing him to make payments to them of their own money. Mr Holland said there was one ease where the client was .feeble-minded. The man frequently called on Mr Wilson in order to p;ct some money on account. Ultimately Hie client was "iven two hours to dear out of Westport hy the police, and as he failed to do so he whs arrested as a i<>"ue and vagabond. He was convicted virtually of Imviii" no visible means ol support, while Mr Wilson, who was his attorney, sal in Court and said nothin". Mr Holland also said there was mi allegation that Mr Wilson charged one client commission for collecting interest from himself. Mr Wilson, he said, was not only Crown Prosecutor for Westport, hut was also the legal representative of the State Advances Department there. MINISTER MAKICS A PROTEST. The Hun C. J. Parr, Minister of Justice, regretted that Mr Holland had brought before the House matters in connection with a public ofiicer A nnd a solicitor which might well have been lirst laid before him as Minister of Justice.

Mr Holland: I spoke lo the Attor-ney-General. I thought it was his Depart incut. Mr Parr replied that he believed the matter was brought before the Attor-ney-General some three months agu in eonueetion with some small charges lor a search, which was said not to have b-.a u undertaken, and one nr two other minor mutters, but definite charges were to he brought. Mr Holland; I have brought them. Mr Parr: The Attorney-General only heard a short time ago. .Mr Armstrong; Is three months notion" enough P Mr Pair: Ii is impossible for me or any member of the House to decide this matter. Mr Holland: I only ask for an investigation. Mr Parr: It would have been fairer and inure just to pul the complaint in writing and have sent ii to me and to the local Law Society, which deals drastically with any member of the profession who meddles with trust liionev in an unlnwlul or unlair way. The profession will not brook it. nor will the law. Mr Holland: Can that not be done now - .Mr Parr: You take a grave responsibility in charging a man who is 110hM-.- lo defend lonisclf ill this House. a private citizen and a nnblie of-lieer-with professional and other grievous niisi-ofiduet unless- you are able to prove tlic.-e charges up to the hilt.

Mr Holland: I am prepared to make them outside the House. Mr I’arr: I think you ought, and not avail yourself of the privilege Parliament has given you. I think it is a wicked thing to bring these charges here. I.realise tiie unfurl until e man against whom they are made lias no chance. The suggestion in the last ease cited meant that the solicitor. while having L'DitHl in hand hclmigiiig I" the client, let tin* police prosecute him lor being a rogue and vagabond, und up.ui Hint, had him sentenced to three months. It seems if the man must have I veil exceedingly feel.le-milided Mr Holland : Hear, hear.

Pj.fr; If he did mil tell the police lie had Di:;nd in Ihe hands of a solicitor silling in Court. Ho the lirst blush ilie Story requires ciirelul examination. The principal charge against Mr Wilson was that there was ilillieulty in gel ting money out of linn. There was no rea'oii to come to Parliament. The. Courts "ere open to the complainant. Labour members: lie was thetrown IVnsiTitl or.

Mr Holland : Will von have an invest iga 1 ion iMr I’arr: You are entitled to adopt the course you have taken, but vet could have taken a more .iust atti tilde. There will most certainly be at investigation. You could have had ii h v coming to my room.