CHARGES OF BRIBERY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8312, 28 February 1912, Page 3

CHARGES OF BRIBERY.

COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGE.

THE INQUIRY PROCEEDING

'Per Press Association. \ ? WELLINGTON, February 27The proceedings of the Special Committee set up by Parliament to investigate the allegations that bribes were offered to certain members of the House were open to the Press to-day. Mr Hanan; presided, and other members of the committee present were the Hon. J. A. Millar, Messrs, Veitch, G. M. Thomson, Allen, Fraser, ■ Nosworthy, Russell, Lee and Reed. Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Massey and Mr Payne were also present. Mr Massey was represented by Mr Myers. The first case taken was that referring to an extract from a letter read by Mr Massey in the House on Friday night as follows:—" You may remember my introducing you to young —-, SO n of——, one of my party who do not follow ■■■Ward! He worked hard and loyally for us in Parnell, Ponsonby, and especially in Grey Lynn. He now assures me that Payne has been squared (£1000) to support Ward on a no-confidence motion. v So sure 1 is he Of the correctness of the information that his dad has offered level money up to £100 on Payne voting against you, and he does not waste money on bets without some reason." The resolution passfed by the House required the committee to inqiiire into " the writing: and publishing of such letter and such extract, and the truth or otherwise'of the charges alleged." 1 After some discussion on the question of adjournment, ;•.,. ■ Sir Joseph Ward rose and stated that he accepted the apology and withdrawal made by Mr Massey in the House last night. It was an unreserved apology and unreseryed with-; drawal and as gentleman to gentleman. Mr Allen rose to a point, of order and urged that Sir Joseph* Ward was out of order. Mr Payne said that both he and Sir Joseph Ward were, interested. Sir Joseph Ward: "I had the im- ( pression that I was in all of them." He added that when he heard Mr Massey make a full withdrawal of, the allegation against biro., he was inclined to get up in the House and say he accepted it at once and in the spirit in which it was made. He accepted the apology .now and would say so in the House, but he thought the statement should go on record. While *Mr Massey had absolved the members referred to from all blame, Sir Joseph thought the matter should be probed to the bottom. A motion to adjourn was defeated on a show of hands, and it was decided to proceed with the inquiry. The committee then proceeded to the consideration of charge No. 2, in which Mr Massey had said: "That he said something aboxit whether he (Mr Payne) was supposed to , have been squared by Mr Vigor Brown and Sir Joseph Ward at Napier. Now that was the statement that was made quite openly in Auckland. I think Mr Payne had begun to see the serious position he proposed to take up, and he said, 'Just let me think it over.' " Mr Brown said that he accepted Mr Massey V apology, and he hoped the member for Franklin would be more guarded in future. He would like to say something further about other rumours which were going the rounds. Mr Fraser interjected' that such statement would be more properly made in the House. Mr Myers, counsel for Mr Massey, said that the statement had been withdrawn, and he proposed to put in the withdrawal. Mr Payne, who was absent when the I charge was read, then entered the room, accompanied by Mr Skerrett, [X.0., and said that Mr Skerrett would appear for him. The Chairman (to_ Mr Myers): Can you assist the committee with any letters or evidence that there is any foundation in fact for the charge? Mr Myers: No. It is-not suggested that the charge has any foundation in fact. Mr Russell: Now that this statement had been made, Mr Payne should be .given an opportunity of making a

statement on oath. Mr Skerrett said that Iso did not accept the interpretation n'j'ch was placed xon the word "squared." "Wo regard it," he said, " as -an uyprobrioiis term connoting some imp roper conduct." He agreed it was undesirable to have a discussion between counsel .as to the meaning of the word. Mr Payne accepted Mr Massey's statement, but he desired to make it perfectly clear that he had made no charge. Mr Payne had asked him a question about "squaring," which was an unhappy term. Mr Skerrett said that Mr Mas-. sey had unreservedly withdrawn, and it was quite beside the point whether Mr Massey mad^s a charge or not. It was not fair for him to endeavour to whittle away and parry the charge. Mr Myers said that Mr Massey's 1 position was quite clear. He made no charge, nor did he do so now. Discussion between counsel proceeded for some time before Mr Massey stated that there was no suggestion that money had passed in Atiekland. , Mr Payne : There was. Mr Massey: There was no suggestion that money had passed. Some jocular allusions were made. Mr Skerrett said that he had no desire; to press the matter against Mr Massey ; orriiakel it unpleasant for -him. All he; desired was that the honour; of (his client should be cleared, and that he should be permitted to say there was not one word of truth in the allegations. John Payne was sworn, and, said there was not a word of truth in the statement. He had seen Sir Joseph Ward in Napier and also Mr Brown, and not one word concerning politics was said. '■■ ■ In reply to the Hon. J. A. Millar, he said he had never been approached by any Minister, either directly or indirectly, as to how he, should vote. ; In reply to Mr Lee, Mr Payne said he told Mr Massey that an ofEer to "square'? him had been made. He added that he said to Mr Massey, when speaking to him last Friday fortnight: "You would be surprised if you knew where the offer came from.' J Mr Massey then said: "Mr Vigor Brown." Witness replied: "No. You are wrong.'* ■■'■ :-v'. . ... '.. ■'■ ■■.•■', . :-:■:■ Replying to the chairman, Mr Payne, said that Mr Dickspn had brought him to Mr Massey's room. / - - Mr; Skerrett said that he wished to ask his client one question relating to case No. 1 He did so in order that the publication of the evidence to-day might not injure Mr Payne. "Was the suggestion concerning £500 made in such circumstances," he asked, "that it would entitle you to take it seriously?" , Mr Payne: No. Sir, Joseph Ward (to Mr Payne): Have you any reason to believe the suggestion came from the Ward Government or anyone connected with myself ? Mr Payne: No. In reply to Mr Brown, witness said that Mr Brown had never spoken to him about how he should vote. Sir Joseph Ward, on oath, stated that he had never, at any time, indirectly or directly, offered to "square" any man in connection with the politics of the country. Before Mr Brown introduced him to Mr Payne, he specially stated he was not prepared to discuss the political situation. He j thought every endeavour ■ should be made to trace the person or persons who had started the rumour. It was one. r of many rumours of a dastardly character" which were made against public men. Mr Vigor Brown, on oath, also denied that he had ever, in any circumstances, offered to " square " a man. Mr Reed claimed that Mr Massey should be asked to say by whom the Auckland rumours were being circulated, and who had committed a breach of privilege. ' . Mr Myers: Does not the question of breach of privilege extend only to what occurred in Parliament? The Chairman said it was necessary, as far as possible, to get information. Mr Russell agreed with the siiggestion made by Mr Myers. The committee could not go outside the order. Mr Myers.: I submit that this tribunal siiouM not be used to enable vm person to bring an action for slander against another. ; It was decided, after further discussion, that the committee should deliberate on the point, and the Press was asked to withdraw. i,On resuming, the chairman .said the committee had decided not to ask Mr Massey by whom the statement was rrfade. The committee then adjourned until to-morrow morning.