THE HINE CHARGES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10132, 1 November 1910, Page 5

THE HINE CHARGES.

before the legislative council. a question of ethics. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Hine Committee of the Legislative Council met this evening. Mr Myers, for Mr Hine, asked for an adjournment. He said he was prepared to proceed on any other night this week. Mr Skerrett, K.C.I who, with Mr Sharp, appeared for the Hon. T. K. Macdcnald, wished to proceed straight away, considering it would be treating Mr Macdonald with scant courtesy not to proceed immediately. Mr Myers said he understood from the Chairman, the Hon. Mr Callan, that all that would be considered at this meeting was the question .of subpoenaing witnesses anclthe paying of expenses, The Hon. Dr. Findlay suggested that Mr hine should give his evidence at this meeting to which Mr Myers replied, "Probably Mr Hine will no% give evidence, but rely on his witnesses to prove his allegations," He would call evidence regarding the sale of Leigh's Nainai property and Love's Waiwetu Estate to the Government by Macdonald's firm at very high prices, Mr Hine considering it wrong for members of either House to act as agents or receive remuneration for a sale to the Crown. He suggested no collusion or impropriety against the Government in tnese two charges. 'lhe Hon. Dr. Findlay suggested that Mr skerrett would probably admit the actual sale of the land, so probably the only question before the Committee would be one of ethics. x The bon. J. Rigg suggested that Mr Wine should give evidence so that the Committee could see what they were to adjudicate upon. Mr Skerrett said if Mr Myeis did not call Mr Line, he would do *o. Mr Myers ' had said that the property was sold at too high a price, but afterwards disavowed any suggestion of collusion between tor A'iacdonaid and the Government. Counsel did not propose to say tnything about the ethics of the charge, that being the Committee's function, 'ihe general question was whether a land agent or lawyer should Le barred by virtue of his position as a member, from practising his profession in dealing with the Government.

The Chairman said,the Committee had decided that all that was necessary for counsel was to exa'mine, cross examine, and re-examine witnesses, and not to address the Committee.

The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow night.