STARTLING CHARGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 105, 11 August 1910, Page 4

STARTLING CHARGES

M.'sP. AND GOVERNMENT LAND PURCHASES. MR. BINE AMPLIFIES HIS STATEMEXT. EX-MEMBERS IMPLICATED. By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Wellington, Last Nizht. ' In the House to-night. Mr. T. Ef Taylor made reference to Mr. Hine's recent charge of "Tammanyism" against two ex- i members of the Mouse, and suggested i that the charges would be ineffective unless Mr. H'ine made them more explicit, i Thereupon 'Mr. Bine said lie would make a statement in the matter which would no doubt astonish the House and the country. It was not a personal matter with him, but. with the information in his possession, lie felt he had a public duty to perform, and he would perform it. He was acting on public grounds and on public grounds alone. He quoted from May to show that severe pains and penalties had been imposed upon members in England for offering and receiving bribes. One mem-, ber was expelled for receiving money for work done in the House. Others had been fined in large sums. In regard to procedure, he said it was not necessary at that juncture to give the names. Mr. T. iE. Taylor, when lie made his charges in regard to the police had said he would not give names. Mr. Arnold also last year, in connection with his police charges, did not give names', but referred to the cases by numbers. If in the cases he (Mr. Hine) was referring to, an enquiry was granted, the men charged -with receiving moneys would have. to come before the commission. He referred to .the cases as follows: No. 11 An M.P. acted as agent for the vendor. No. 2. In the purchase of an estate two M's.P. acted in collusion and received a commission. No. 3.—'An iM.P. divided a commission with a land agent. No. 4.—An M.P. received a huge commission, running into four figures, for acting as agent.

These commissions were all received in connection with lands purchased by the State.

Hon. Mr. Carroll: Who paid the commission—the State? Mr. Hine.—That has to be found out. He added that, in his opinion, he was fully justified in making these statements. To his mind, whether a man was a land agent or not, if he was a member of that House he should not take such commissions.

Mr. Hanan: He's beginning to shuffle now.

Mr,. Hine: You'll see who is going to shuffle when the commission is (granted.

Sir Joseph Ward said that Mr. Hine had stated the other night that the men were not members of the .House. Mr. Hine: Ait the time these commissions were paid they were M's.P. Probably toy to-morrow I will have further cases. The enquiry should cover all cases of purchases by the Government.

The Prime Minister considered that if Mr. Hine was not prepared to state the names publicly, or to the Ministry, the country would disbelieve him. 'Mr. T. 3E. Taylor pointed out that Mr. Hine would be privileged if he gave the names. If he (Mr. Taylor) were in Mr. Hine's place he would out with them like «, shot. That would be be-' cause he would be prepared to fight them,

Mr. Hine's statement was made with the indulgence of the House, and members listened intently. There was a full House, and at the conclusion of the'incident members trooped out into the lobby, from which the 'buzz of conversation could be heard.