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Session 11. 1912. NEW ZEALAND.

PRIVILEGE COMMITTEE (REPORT OF THE) APPOINTED TO INQUIRE INTO AND REPORT ON THE PUBLICATION OF A LETTER WRITTEN BY WILLIAM SINCLAIR TO WILLIAM CARR ON THE 25th MARCH, 1912, REFLECTING ON THE CHARACTER OF RICHARD McCALLUM, MEMBER FOR WAIRAU; TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS, EVIDENCE, AND APPENDIX. (Mr. HANAN, Chairman.)

Report brought up on Friday, the 2nd August, 1912, and, ordered to the printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the 4th Day of July, 1912. Ordered, " That a Committee of Privilege be appointed to inquire into and report on the publication of a letter written by William Sinclair to William Carr on the 25th March last reflecting on the character of Richard McCallum, a member of this House; the Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records, and to report within three days ; the Committee to consist of Mr. Fraser, Hon. Mr. Hanan, Mr. Seddon, Hon. Mr. R. McKenzie, Mr. Atmore, Mr. G. M. Thomson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Lang, and the mover : five to form a quorum."—(Hon. Mr. T. Mackenzie.) Tuesday, the 9th Day of July, 1912. Ordered, " That an extension of time for three days be granted to the Privilege Committee within which to bring up a report."—(Hon. Mr. T. Mackenzie.) Wednesday, the 10th Day of July, 1912. Ordered, " That an extension of time up to the 7th day of August, 1912, be granted to the Privilege Committee within which to bring up its report."—(Hon. Mr. T. Mackenzie.)

REPORT. The Committee of Privilege appointed to inquire into and report on the publication of a letter written by William Sinclair to William Carr on the 25th March last, reflecting on the character of Richard McCallum, a member of this House, has the honour to report that, after taking evidence herein, it finds — (1.) That the said letter was written by William Sinclair and sent by him to and received by William Carr. (2.) That a copy of this letter was signed by William Sinclair and sent by him to and received by William Andrew Veitch, a member of Parliament, under cover of a letter addressed to the said William Andrew Veitch marked " Private and confidential." (3.) That William Andrew Veitch gave the copy of the letter referred to in paragraph (2) and received by him to Richard McCallum on or about the 3rd July, 1912. The Committee is of opinion that the said letter was published by the said William Sinclair, and is not a privileged communication. The Committee further reports that a desire was expressed by William Sinclair to be heard at the bar of the House before the breach of privilege is finally dealt with 2nd August, 1912. J. A. Hanan, Chairman,

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