ALLEGED "TAMMANYISM."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 147, 30 September 1910, Page 5

ALLEGED "TAMMANYISM."

MR. HINE'S CHARGES. REFERRING THEM TO A COMMITTEE. AN ANIMATED DISCUSSION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, Sir Joseph Ward moved his resolution, of which he had previously given notice, to refer Mr. nine's charges in connection with members of Parliament and land purchase transactions to the Lands Committee. He would ask leave to amend the motion with a view to referring the matter to a select committee, consisting of Messrs. Men, Buchanan, Eraser, Graham, Hainan, Massey, Myers, Millar, Reed and the mover. The present action was necessary, as Mr. Hine declined to give the names of members, implicated. The committee would have to discover whether there was any foundation for the charges. In answer to a point of order raised by Mr. Allen, the Speaker ruled the motion could not be altered without the unanimous consent of the House. Sir Joseph Ward, continuing, said he had written to .the first, second and present chairmen of the Land Purchase Board, asking if any members of Parliament had acted as agents in connection with the sale of estates, and if any influence had been brought to bear by any member of Parliament in the matter of estates purchased by the Government in the direction of inducing the Board to arrive at any decision other 'than the right and proper one. Replies in each case were in the negative. He said the Board had carriea out its duties without fault, and, speaking generally,,he did not believe one serious mistake had been' made in connection with the purchase of estates by the Government, although over five million pounds' worth of estates haa been acquired. The House had a right to know all the circumstances in connection with the charges made by Mr. Hine, and also those of any similar cases. He resented the imputations that members of the Land Committee were not honest men. He asked leave to move the motion as amended. Mr. Hine said if the charges against any members of the House were true, it was strange that a committee of the House should be the tribunal. He moved, as an amendment, that tiie final clause of the motion should be altered to read as follows: —"And any other allegations ot a similar nature against members of Parliament, that may be brought before them, be referred to two Supreme Court judges for investigation and report on same, and to have power to call for persons and papers and to examine such , witnesses as they deem necessary." Mr. Hardy moved a prior amendment, providing for a special committee, as proposed by Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. Fisher moved to amend .the original motion by adding, "Such allegations shall be investigated by two judges of the Supreme Court." Sir Joseph Ward pointed out that this would narrow the enquiry down to the four charges preferred by Mr. Hine. Mr. Malcolm drew attention to the fact that Government members were in the majority on the proposed committee in the proportion of six to four, which fact alone made it undesirable. .Parliament had a duty to the country, which would attach no value to the committee's decision. He hoped the Premier would see the desirability of setting up an independent, committee, which would have the confidence, of the House and country. Mr. Herries pointed out that Mr. Hine made no charges of bribery or conniption, but simply alleged that members had received commissions. It was not even said that they received public money. ; Mr. Millar said it had always been the practice to refer a charge against a member of Parliament to a select committee.

Mr. Allen contended it was perfectly fair to ask that the matter be referred to two Supreme Court judges. The discussion was parried on by Messrs. Taylor (Christchurch), Hanan and Wright. / In the evening the debate was resumed. Speakers mainly devoted themselves to upholding, on the one hand, the proposed committee cs the other, denouncing it and asking Lor the appointment of judges. Mr. Fraser, in referring to the silence of Mr. Massey, said this was due to a sore throat. He •mentioned the fact to prevent misunderstanding. He declared the public would look 'with suspicion on a committee composed of a majority 01 Government supporters,' and therefore he appealed for an independent tribunal. He disclaimed having reflected on 'members of the committee. The* Hon. T. MacKenaie characterised Mr. Eraser's disclaimer as effrontery, after practically saying the committee could not be trusted. Even if the Charges were proved, the Government, he held, could not be shown to be responsible, and, if this were so, why should the Opposition imply that the Government, was on its'trial and .endearowing to shield itself by a proposed committee. He denied that any mem ber of the Board could 'have the finger of suspicion pointed at him. If a select committee could not be trusted to carry on the investigation, then the sooner Parliamentary institutions were abolished, the better. Mr. Herdman said the Opposition took exception to a select committee, conducting an, enquiry, .owing to the strong party feeling shown in the matter. Sir J. G. Ward quoted from Mr. Hine's speech containing the changes, in which there wis, he said, an attempt to connect the Government with the same, and allegations of "Tammanyis>m" haa been made. If tile Government were to yield to the demand of Mr. Hine for a commission before the names were disclosed, it would create a very bad precedent for future use. If the matter were referred to judges it was possible Mr Hine might change his mind and muse to give names. Nine-tenths of th estates bought by the Land Purchase Board were acquired from the Government's strongest political opponents. He denounced the attempt to injure the Government by, vague generalisations of the kind indulged in by Mr. Hine. Whatever was brought before the committee as evidence would be printed. On Mr. Fisher's amendment behic put it was rejected by 42 to 29. The Hon. B. McKenzie moved to amend the original motion to the effect that the special committee be composed of Messrs. Allen, Buchanan, Fraser, Graham. Hanan, Massey. Myers, Millar, Reed and Sir Joseph Ward, five to form a quorum. In speaiking to "his amendment, the Hon. McKenzie said if Mr. Hine endeavoured to shirk his responsibilities it would be- necessary for the House to deal with him. Mr. King said that had the party spirit been kept out of the debate the

[ matter emi'd ha ■• been settled in a few minutes. Tf, a? :l-- Minister stated, the charges had 1> •: brought forward to blacken the adi .. istration, why were two Ministers anointed to the committee? The motion was widened bv Sir J. G. Ward substituting "Crown land's" for '•lands purchased by the Land Purchase Board." Mr. Anderson moved that the press be admitted during the .taking of evidence. Sir J. G. Ward opposed ou the ground that it was an attempt by the Opposition to dictate the procedure. On division, Mr. McKenzie's amendment was carried by 38 votes to 30. Replying to Mr. Russell., the Speaker said the press would be entitled to comment on the reports of the proceedings. On the motion of Mr. Poole, it was 'lecided l that the r ess be admitted while the committee wis taking evidence, but not while the ccimittee was engaged in deliberations. The motion, as amended, providing for a special committee composed of the members already named, to report within a month, was then put aral agreed to on the voices. The House then went into committee on the Defence Bill.