THE HINE CHARGES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 492, 17 August 1912, Page 5

THE HINE CHARGES.

PAYMENT OF COSTS. DENOUNCED HY PRIME MINISTEH. [ill TKLKCItAI'II.- I'HI-.SS ASS<,iel.V]'lON."| Wellington, This Day. On a motion of inn Pritiu-i Minister, Mr Mine presented thi> report, of the Public Accounts Committee! on the timate. Speaking on the item of .-£s(l >J for Hine charges law expenses, Mr Iline said (he idea hud got abroad that he had received from the Government an amount for paying his expenses in connection with the charges made by him two yearn ago. lie had received nothing at all from (ho Government for his costs. Apparently there had been an understanding between the Word Government ;inii those who were charged that if the latter did not pay their legal com In the Government would foot the bill. Payment of the amount, was sanctioned by the Ward iJovernment (he day before thev left odiee, and (.ho money vv:js paid by the Mackenzie) Government. Sir Joseph Ward said the Public Accounts Committee tonic no exception to the amount, of the account. Mr Hine: I stated it: was an jm-

proper payment. Sir Joseph Ward said Mr Uino simply took exception to the whole procedure. lie had been approached by Mr Mine's counsel, and asked to pay Mr Mine's costs, and on (.he spur of the moment ho had refused. Mr Skerrett had been appoae.ho.d by some of those against, whom charges had been levelled, and asked to conduct, the cases for them. Mr Skerrett had approached ths lato Attorney-General, and informed him that, hv< was not sure that he could get his expenses from the men. He could not fake up the case unless ho could be sure of getting his fees. The then AttorneyGeneral consulted Cabinet who came to the conclusion that in the event, of Mr Skcrrctt'H costs not being paid the Government would be reponsible. Though the charges were not; laid against, the Government it, was indirectly concerned. Later Mr Skerrett had informed hi;n that; bis eosla had not been naid, and as a matter of honour the Government had paid him tlium. lie hud sent, for Mr Myers, who was Mr Hinn's counsel, and told him he was prepared to pay portion of the costs on the other side, but, Mr Myers refused. MrSkerre t had not been employed by the Government at. all. He wished to make (hit quite clear. The Government; did not stand in the way of Min fullest information being obtained in counsel.ion wtih the Hine charges.

Mr Massey said Him matter hail not; been brought up for political capital to be made out of it. K wan not n question of whethor payment nhouhi be nvide but whether Mr Hino. and not the chairman of Him I'nblie Accounts Cnmmitlo-\ rhoil.i hi aliio to clear hiimself. It had haon published in the papers that Mr llim> had lia:i part of his expense.', p >i 1 by (Jim Government.

Sir Joseph Ward: ! -muII have contradicted that on the first day (if the session if I had been asked.

Mr Masscy said it, was an improper and iniquitous payment, Why had they waited nearly two yeiri before, paying the money? Sir Joseph Ward: I had not been asked before.

Mr Massey said if the money had not been paid up to the present it would not bo paid now. The Government should not have given a guarantee. Ho regretted payment had been made and the Governme.t had done a very wrong tiling in paying it.

Mr G. W. Russell said the Government had every right (o guarantee the amount to Mr Skorrctl. It was the functiun of Parliament to protect its

m (Mn tiers. Mr Loo hoi.l as the. Government ha. i paid Mr Skorrctt's account, they should certainly have done tho sam.> with Mr Iline's counsel. Mr Hindmarsh said as Sir Joseph Ward know Mr Skorrolf s costs would bo paid by tho Government if, was his duty to co at once to Mr Iline's counsel, and inform him that; the Government would pay his cosli-i also. Had Mr Iline known his e.ustn wouli He paid it might have completely changed his case. Sir Joseph Ward said wliea Mr Myers approached him he had no idea what the costs would be, nor whether they would be paid by lliose concerned.

Mr Hinc, in replying, said he appreciated the remarks of Mr Hindmarsh. His costs for the inquiry had amounted to ..C.S2H.

The report was laid on tho tabic