MR HINE'S CHARGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 200, 2 December 1910, Page 5

MR HINE'S CHARGES

MR. KAIHAU REPRIMANDED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, -Thursday. After the telegraph office closed at midnight, the Prime Minister moved as follows:—"That in the opinion of this House, Mr. Kaihau, by receiving from his consitituents moneys in respect of services rendered by him as a member oi Parliament, had been guilty of impropriety in the execution of his office." The Speaker explained that if he thought fit Mr. Kaihau had a right to be heard in explanation of the misconduct charged against him, and then he must retire till the House considered whether it would adopt the motion.

The Prime Minister stated that if this motion was adopted there would be another motion brought forward.

Mr. Kaihau remarked that he would leave himself in the hands of the House. He felt that if he had done anything wrong he was prepared to allow his constituents to pronounce judgment on him. He challenged his accuser to take up the same position. He was certain that he would come back; he did not know about Mr. Hine.

Mr. Kaihau then withdrew from the Chamber.

The motion was agreed to on the voices.

The Prime Minister then moved that Mr. Kaihau be summoned to return to his place in the House, and receive the reprimand of the House. The motion was agreed to on the voices. When Mr. Kaihau again took his place Mr. Speaker said he need hardly remind him of the high position he held as a member. In the opinion of the House he had been guilty of an impropriety. He could quite understand how Mr. Kaihau had fallen into the error which ho had committed. Knowing that Mr. Kaihau was a representative of the Native race, also that he did not speak the English language, and the fact that the Standing Orders were not translated into the Maori language, he may not have known that what he did was an impropriety. He (the Sqeaker) thought he was justified in making that statement. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Kaihau said he had to thank the Speaker and the House. He had nothing to say. There was nothing he could say, but to thank Mr. Speaker and the members of the House. The House adjourned at 2 a.m. THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S DENUNCIATION.

Wellington, Last Night. In the Legislative Council this afternoon, the Attorney-General moved the adoption of the report of the Hine Committee, respecting the charges against the Hon. T. K. Mac Donald. Do-. Fimdlay prefaced his remarks by a. strong denunciation of the practice and system of public detraction which had grown up in the political life of the Dominion, and of which the present case was an illustration. The trend of Dr. Findlay's remarks was that while the Hon. T. K. Mac Donald was nominally attacked the real attack was aimed at the administration of the late Mr. Seddon, and the line of investigation on the part of Mr. Hine was such as to 'leave a nasty taste in the mouth of the public over the whole affair." It was plainly Mr. Hine's object to throw discredit upon the only Minister who had anything whatever with the purchase, and the Hon. T. K. Mac Donald was only an incident in this political inquisition. His action was only used as a means ol discrediting and dishonoring a great name in the course of Liberalism, but Mr. Hine stood convicted of hyprocrisy, not only by his conduct, but by h'is words; for, while beginning by disavowing any imputation against tlie late Mr. Seddon, he, through his lawyer, proceeded to cast as much suspicion on Mr. Seddon's memory as he indirectly coul'd. The whole spirit and methods of these charges were a blot on our public life, and since Mr. Hine had throughout the support and approval of the Opposition party, that party, along with himseW, had committed themselves to methods ol political warfare which -surely must make every fair-minded man sorry if notindignant. In conclusion, he thought it desirable to bring the Legislature into line with recent lcgislation'on municipal corporations, harbor boards, etc., to prevent a chance, however remote, of a man's private profit and public dutv coming into contact. The debate which followed was brief, and the Attorney-General, in reply, said he would later on bring down' some definite proposal as to'suggested legislation, and also on the question of privilege involved in the charge made by a member of one House against a member ol the other House. It would be better, however, to defer action for a little while. The report was adopted.