MR. SYMES' TO CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 276, 16 November 1908, Page 2

MR. SYMES' TO CHARGES.

A very great ileal of political capital lias been made out of the alleged improper use of his position by Mr. .Symes as a member of Parliament, in accepting what 'lias been stated was private payment for services rendered in liis public capacity. We were pleased to observe that Mr. Symes did not leave it till tonight- to reply to the accusations. On the one hand we have the bald accusation of corruption on Mr. Svmes' part backed bv a couple of letters that, read by themselves, might look suspicious. On the very face of tlicm, however, it is quit<; apparent ttiat tliey represent the progress of some negotiations that had been verbally -proceeding beforehand. Mr. Symes showed that those who benefited 'liy the fioveranient. grant desired to show their appreciation of I those who fought their battle bv making some sort of .presentation. Mi. Syincs definitely stated at his Bird Road meeting that he was not one of those who would have participated in tfe-"surprise-packet." It is an unlortimaie circumstance lliat Mr. ■Symes should have been the individual through whom the negotiations passed, placing himself, to a certain extent, in a false position. Unless, therefore, Mr. llinc and Mr. Hemingway are prepared to challenge tlio truth" of Mr. Symes' explanation and refute it, Mr. Symes lias nothing to fear from the public verdict. The whole, matter, we must say, admits, in the interests oi the public, of further prob- ! ing. As a matter of .principle, no member of Parliament is entitled to, nor should he, receive anything by way of : commission or personal payment for ser- ! vices rendered constituents in the course < of his ordinary duty. On the matter of > petitions, the same course should, "we ■ think, apply, although we do not know : of any recognised rule on the subject. ' Vor instance, in the case of a legal pracf titioner representing a constituency ' and b"ing required to draw up a petif tion for presentation to Parliament on 1 behalf of any individual or number ol - individuals, would lie be entitled t<i - charge for liis professional services? Thr 1 question is one that, should be settlei! ' one way or the other, for it is certainly doubtful whether it comes within tin ' ordinary sphere of a member of Parlia- ' mcnt's duty.