THE HINE CHARGES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10128, 26 October 1910, Page 5

THE HINE CHARGES.

A NEW DEVELOPMENT.

TO BE REFERRED BACK 10 COMMITTEE.

. (ft,S ; Telegraph:— Press Association.) vViiLdNGTON, Last Night* In the fiouse of representatives, tonight, the Premier read a letter forwarded to the thief Justice setting forth the charges formulated by Mr Hine, and asking him to nominate two Judges to investigate and report the charges. The Chief Justice, in reply, said that assuming the charges are true, tley do not come within the provisions of the Legislative Act, 1908. None of the charges are r.larges of corruption, although charge three is one of improper conduct, 'ire Court of Appeal had decided in 1909 that a Royal Commission to investigate whether crime has or has not been committed, was illegal, and that the appointment of such a Commission to investigate an action that was not illegal, would te to create a new. offence, and would be void. 3f any memLer has acted in a way derogatory to his I membership Parliament should deal with him on these ground?. He hoped the House would withdraw its request for the Judges' to investigate the charges. The Chief Justice states tnat his brother Judges approve of his reply to the Premier's letter. The Premier said he proposed to ask the House to agree to tr.e following motions:—

1. That a message le sent to the Speaker conveying the information that a charge had been made by the member for Stratford against Hon. T. K. McDonald, M.L.C.," and that the Legislative Council might deal with the same.

2, Tlat the Chief Justice having stated the objections of all the Judges to accepting the proposed Commis ion to investigate Mr bine's charge?, the order of the House referring the same to a Commission of Judges Le rescinded, and that the cnarge?, with the exception of the one relating to Hon, T. K. McDonald, be referred tack to the Committee set up to deal with them. ' The Premier said the letter of the Chief Justice showed that the course proposed was a proper one for the House to adept. Mr W. F. M««ey raid he regretted that the tiemier had not agreed to have the charges referred to a Commission of Judges vhen they were first made. The House had got into an awkward position, and he was anxious to see the nmter cleaned up during the present session. Consequently ne would offer no objections to the motions. Be hoped that when the matter was again before the Committee it would get more impartial treatment • from the Chairman than was Ifte case when the matter was before the House last. Mr J.. A. Hanan considered Mr Massey's remarks unwarranted. Ee had been quite impartial in his speech, which was- borne out by the letterof the "Jbief Justice. t ir J. Ward a<=id he would never have agreed to the matter beine referred to t;.e Judges before beingdealt with by the house, asjhe was anxious to see the matter referred to the committees. He believed the Chairman would he quite impartial. Both motions were agreed to.