MR HINE'S CHARGES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10107, 30 September 1910, Page 5

MR HINE'S CHARGES

THE PREMIER'S RESOLU-

TION.

AMENDMENT AND PRIOR

AMENDMENT.

(By Telegrapn—Press Association.') WELLINGTON, Last Nignt. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) moved the resolu-

tion, of which he had previously given notice, to refer the charges made by ivir Hire, member for Stratford, in connaction with members of Parliament and land pur j chase transactions, to the Land 3 Committee. He aeked leave to amend the motior, with a view to referring the matter to a Select Committee consisting ol Messrs Allen, Buchanar, Fraser, Graham, Hauan, Massey, Myers, Millar, Keid, and the mover. The present action was necessary, as Mr Hine j has declined give «\he names of the members implicated. The Committee would have to be able to discover whether there was any foundation for the charges,

In answer to a point of order raised by Mr Allen, the Speaker ruled that the motion could not be Itered without the unanimous consent of the House.

Sir JosephjWard, continuing, said 'be s had written to the first, second and present chairman of the Land Purchase Board, asking if any members of Parliament had acted as agents in connection with the sale uf estates, and if any influence had been brought to bear by any member of the Government,' or of Parliament, in the matter of estates purchased by the Government in tne direction of inducing the Board to arrive at any decision other than a right aid proper one. The replies in ea:h case were in the negative. He said the Board had carried out its duties without fault, and, speaking gtneirally, he did not believe oneseiious mistake had been made in connection with the purchase of estates ny the Government; although over five million pounds wcrth of estates had b2en acquired. The House had a right to know all the circumstances connected with the charges made by Mr Hine, and also those of any similar cases. He resented the imputation that members of the |Landa Committee were not honest men. He asked leave to move the motion as amended. Mr Hine said it was strange that a Committee of the House v&iipuld. be the tribunal. He rauved as aiv amendment that the final clause of the motion be altered to read as follows:—"Or any other allegations of a similar nature againßt members of Parliament ithat may be brought before them, be referred to two Supreme Court judges for investigation and report, the same to have power to call for persons and papers, and to examine each witness as they i deem nece^ary.

Mr Hardy seconded the -unend-m-int.

The Hod. J. A. Millar moved a prior amendment providing for a special committee as proposed by Sir Joseph Ware'. Mr Fisher moved to amend the original mof.oii 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 a majority on the proposed Committee, in the proportion of six to four, which fact alone made it an undesirable one.

Mr Herries pointed out that Mr Hine made no charges of bribery or corruption, but simply alleged that memberß had received commissions. The Hon. Mr Millar said it had always been tha practice to refer charges'against members of Parliament toja Select Committee.

Mr Allen contended that it was perfectly fair to ask ihat the matter be referred to two Supreme Court judges. The discussion j was carried on by Messrs Taylor, Christchurcn, Hanan, and Wright.

Mr Fraser, referring to tho silence of Mr Massey, said this was due to the Leader of the Opposition having a sore throat. He mentioned this to prevent misunderstanding. He declared that the public would look with suspicion on a committee composed of a majority of Government supporters, and therefore he appealed for an independent tribunal. H 3 disclaimed any reflection on any members of the committee. The Hon. T. Mackenzie characterised Mr Fraser's disclaimer as effrontery. After his praiicallj saying that the Committee was not to be trusted. Even. if the charges were proved, the ' Government, he held, could not be Rhowo to have

been responsble. Mr Herdman said the Opposition took exception to a rielecfc Committee conducting the enquiry, owing to the strong past feeling shown on the matter.

Sir Joseph Ward quoted from Mr Hine's speech'.;. containing -the charges, in which it was, life said, an attempt to connect the Government with the same, and allegations of "Tammanyism" had been made. If the Government were to yield to

j'thsj demand of Mr Hine for a f Commission before the nairns were dinelosed, it would create a very bad precedent for future use. . On Mr Fisher's amendment being put, it was rejected by 42 to 29. The Hon. K. McKenzie moved to amend the original motion to the. effect that the Special Committee be composed ol Me'sra Allen, Buchanan, Fraser, Graham, Hanan, Massey, Myers, Millar, Reet!, and Ward, five to form a quorum. The motion was widened by Sir Joseph Ward substituting Crown lands for lands purchased by the Land Purchase Board. ' , Mr Anderson nvivtd that the Press be admitted during the taking of evidence. Sir Joseph Ward opposed this en the ground that it was an attempt by the Opposition to dictate the proceedings. On division the Hon. R. 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 decided that the Press be admitted while the Committee were taking evidence. t - ~