THE HINE CHARGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 159, 14 October 1910, Page 5

THE HINE CHARGES

GOVERNMENT COURTS FULLEST ENQUIRY. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Wellington, Thursday. 1 At a meeting of the Hine Committee Sir Joseph Ward said that he v. is of the opinion that his motion was in the right direction. Looking at the whole proposition, he thought it was in the interests of ,the country that the matter should ibe referred to two Judges. He spoke of the criticism by Opposition journals of his attitude in having a committee set up, and said he would have proposed a commission of two Judges at the outset had definite charges been made. Then, agaim tha commit.tee was not justified in aeafing with members of the other 'branch of the Legislature. He personally did rfrf desire to participate in ithe hearing of these masters, but the Government courted the fully enquiry. He moved his motion to refer the matter to two Judges. rIUO<| 'Mr. Massey said he favored ..this course, as he had been of that opinion from the outset, as he thought thAv4te only tribunal free from party bias waft that of the Supreme Court ,Judges. The order of reference for the .new tribunal should be considered. He referred to the Ghinemuri Licensing Commission, which, it was found, had 110 jurisdiction, and he asked the Prime Minister to ask the Crown Law Department to 3ef3 ii, tie commissi, :t would have jurisdiction.' Sir Joseph Ward agreed to db' so. Mr. Miassey, continuing, spoke' 6f' tße discussion in the House regarding the constitution of 'the commission, to which. Sir Joseph Ward replied explaining hig attitude. As the Government was thoroughly clear on the question, it. wanted the fullest enquiry by an iildepMdent tribunal. Mr. Allen said that Mr. - Hnfei'%ad offered to give names if .the Government would set up a commission of Judges. He asked if any other charges"ffferirto be made by members that they should be made publicly as Mr. HiniflMid to do.

"Sir Joseph Ward said if it were found the commission had no jurisdiction he would introduce the necessary legislation to remedy this as soon as the'flatter was referred to the House. He would write to the Chief Justice, asking hTm to appoint two Judges. In reply to Mr. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward said he was not going to appear as a prosecutor, but that there were certain matters which were now beinoi enquired into which might result in other charges being made of which he coijld give no further information at present. On the motion of Sir Joseph Ward o it was decided to recommend to the H(»flSe that a commission of Judges be appoi#t- . ri Sir Joseph Ward mentioned that as he was leaving for the south to-night Ae would be glad if the discussion on the matter in the House could be delayed till his return. He was particularly anxious to have the Waterworks Bill put through, and it was impossible to deal with both before his departure. Some demur was raised at this, and eventually the committee adjourned, the understanding being that the matter woul; 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. WHAT MAY HAPPEN. Says yesterday's New Zealand Times (the Ministerial journal):—Mr. Hine'a removal of self-imposed gag early in. the proceedings is an act to be welcomed by everyone concerned. The charges he brings would be rather difficult to understand had he not previously designated them as instances of Tammanyism tnat would electrify the country and ot impropriety carried on with the knowledge of the Prime Minister. The case in each instance apparently is that the person named secured by corrupt (Tammany) means the purchase of certain lands from private owners by the State —that the public pocket has b-en plundered by the trustees and guardians of the public interests. Private individuals, servants of the State and Ministers are apparently, up for trial, and at last something definite emerges from tl» nebulous cloud of assertions regarding Tammanyism" behind which Oppo'ftion speakers have been firing off blarv ammunition for twenty years. We do not wish to disguise our belief that ii Mr. Hine can prove one case of a corrupt bargain having been made .in connection with the sale of these'laira's fee will wreck the Ministry, for the public conscience would very rightly revolt against such a thing in any form."lf he proves the existence of Tammanyism in our public life he will be entitled to the thanks of every decent citizen. But if he cannot, then Mr. Hine will leave the political arena.