MR NINE’S CHARGES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 905, 15 October 1910, Page 3

MR NINE’S CHARGES.

Mr J. B. Hine has definitely formulated his charges of “Tammanyism” against certain legislators previously unnamed. This was done at a meeting of the Select Parliamentary Committee, when Mr Hine gave names, dates and places, immediately after which the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, announced his intention of removing the investigation from the committee to a Royal Commission consisting of two Supreme Court judges.

Mr Hine then read a statement in which his charges were formulated as follow:

1. That Charles Edwin Major, in or about the year 1904, while a member of Parliament, conducted the sale to the Government of a property of Frederick Bayly at Toko, and received from the said Frederick Bayly a commission or sum of money for so doing. 2. That Charles Kdwin Major and Walter Symes, or one of them, in or about the year 1905, while both members of Parliament, conducted the sale to the Government of a property of Alfred Bayly at Toko, and received from the said Alfred Bayly a commission or sum of money, which the said/Charles Kdwin Major and Waller Symes' divided.

3. That the said Walter Symes, in or about the year 1906, and again in 1908, while a member of Parliament, charged and received from a number of West Coast lessees of native lands commissions or sums ot money for preparing and conducting petitions in Parliament on their behalf.

4. That the said Walter Symes, in the year 1905, while a Parliamentary election was presently in prospect in which the said Walter Symes intended to become and subsequently became a candidate, and being then actually a member of Parliament, did threaten or cause to be threatened a certain newspaper that he would use his influence as a member of Parliament to prevent Government advertisements from being given to the said newspaper unless he received the support of or was treated to his own satisfaction by the said newspaper during the said election contest.

5. That Thomas Kennedy Macdonald, in or about the year 1904 and subsequent years, while a member of the legislative Council, either alone or in conjunction with his then partner (a land agent), conducted the sale to the Government of the property of one John Motley Leigh at Nai Nai, and the properties of other persons, and received from the said John Motley Leigh and the vendors of such other properties commissions or other suras of money, or alternatively the said Thomas Kennedy Macdonald and his said partner received the said commissions or other sums and divided the same. 6. That Henare Kaihau, in or about the year 1906, while a member of Parliament, conducted the sale to the Government of a portion of the Te Akau block, and received from the vendors a commission or other sum of money.

At the meeting of the Hine Committee Sir Joseph Ward said he was of opinion that his motion to appoint two Judges was in the right direction. Looking at the whole question, he thought it was in the interests of the country that the matter should be referred to two Judges. He spoke of the criticism by Opposition journals to his attitude in having the Committee set up, and said he would have proposed a Commission of two Judges at the outset had definite charges been made. Then, again, the Committee was not justified in dealing with members of the other branch of the Legislature. He personally did not desire to participate in the hearing of these matters, but the Government courted the fullest inquiry. He moved his motion to refer the matter to two Judges. Mr Massey said he favoured this course. That had been his opinion from the outset, as he thought the only tribunal free from party was that of Supreme Court Judges. The order of reference for the new tribunal should be considered. He referred to the Ohinemuri Licensing Commission, which it was found had no jurisdiction, and he asked the Prime Minister to ask the Crown Law Department to see if the Commission would have jurisdiction. Sir Joseph Ward agreed to do so. Mr Massey, continuing, spoke of the discussion in the House regarding the constitution of the Commission, to which Sir Joseph Ward replied by explaining his attitude. As the Government was thoroughly cleat on the question it wanted the fullest inquiry by an independent tribunal. Mr Allen said Mr Hine had offered to give the names if the Government would set up a Commission of Judges. He asked that if any other charges were to be made by members they should be made publicly, as Mr Hine had had to do.

Sir Joseph Ward said if it was found the Commission had no jurisdiction he would introduce the necessary legislation to remedy this. As soon as the matter was referred to the House he would write to the Chief Justice asking him to appoint two judges. In reply to Mr Masse}', Sir Joseph Ward said he was not going to appear as a prosecutor, but that there were certain matters which were now being inquired into which might result in other charges being made. He could give no further information at present. On the motion of the Premier it was decided to recommend to the House that a Com*

mission of Judges be appointed. Sir Joseph mentioned that as he was leaving for the South to-night he would be glad if the discussion on the matter in the House would be delayed till his return. He was particularly anxious to have the Waterworks Bill put through, and it would be impossible to deal with both before bis departure. Some demur was raised at this, and, eventually, the Committee adjourned, the understanding being that the matter would go before the House in the ordinary course, Sir Joseph Ward expressing his willingness to postpone his trip to ensure the matter being hurried on.