MR HINE'S CHARGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 127, 7 September 1910, Page 5

MR HINE'S CHARGES

"WHO WAS THE, MAN?" THE PREMIER NETTLED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. During the debate in the House tonight on the Land for Settlement arid Finance Amendment Bill, "Sir Joseph Ward; referring to the remarks hf Mr. T. E. Taylor on the charges made by Mr. J. B. Hine against members of Parliament who had, he alleged, received commissions for acting as agents 1 in the sale of estates to the Government, the Premier stated that when the charges were first made he (Sir Joseph Ward) had written to the chairmen of 'the Land Purchase Boards (Messrs, McKerrow, Barron and Ritchie), asking them if the Government had attempted to bring pressure to bear upon the Land Purchase Board. The reply wa3 4 ' A DISTINCT NEGATIVE. The Government, he continued, had no power in regard to the purchase of estates beyond accepting or rejecting the recommendations of the Land Purchase Board. If Mr. Hine knew of any improper transactions, it was his duty to name the parties responsible for them. Otherwise a reflection was allowed to remain on every member of the House at the time to which the charges referred. Mr. Hine said his reason- for n-tt divulging the names was that be did not think it riarht to do so unless he .knew a tribunal would be set up to trv the memibers he referred to. If the Premier would appoint a Commission, he would be prepared to state all the facts. A } sittincr' member on the Government side at the last general election had admitted having accepted a commission for placing a° petition before the House; yet Sir Joseph Ward had gone into the former's district and made a policv speech'. Sir Joseph Wnrd: Who was the man"? Mr. Hine replied: HE WAS MY OPPONENT. The Premier said there was only one short word with which to characterise that statement, bit he was not permitted to use it. Tf Mr. Hine his remarks outside the House he (Sir Jopopli WaH) would take steps to protect himself. At a later stage, reolviwr to Mr, Fisher, the Prpmier said that if Mr. Hine diselo<=<"l +he rfii"e= he (Sir Joseph Ward) would undertake to make enquiry into th° mat+pr. Mr. TTiip sumrestpd that Suoreme Court .Tudsfs be aivwinted a commission. He was nrpnarpd to pav the .costs of the enquiry if he failed to prove the charges.