THE MARINE SCANDAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 158, 6 July 1899, Page 9

THE MARINE SCANDAL.

THE HUTCHESON CHABOES. 3

AN UNQUALIFIED .DENIAL. \j

STATEMENT BY Mil HUTCHESON.

(By Telegraph—.Pairliamientary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day

The Times" to-day contains the' following-, evidently -supplied from an! official source. During his speech on. Friday nig-ht on the no-confidence debate Mr John Huteheson, in the course of his remarks concerning Captain Aliman's qualifications sta° red that officer went through aw utterly farcical examination for an' extra master's certificate before the -Marine Board of New South Wales. "The door had been opened for him! and things made easy," }]> Hutcheson's implication being- that the examination was a "fraudulent" one. He further stated that the person who was examiner on that occasion had since been dismissed from the New South Wales Government service for reasons somewhat, similar to those which led to Captain Alhnan's retirement some time ago. However, the New Zealand Government entered into communication with the marine authorities in New South Wales on. this subject, and official information; concerning the examination of Capt. Allman, which was in possession of Mr Seddon at the time Mr Hutcheson. made the statements, throws a somewhat different light on the matter. It is to the effect that "George Allman was examined for an extra master's certificate December, 1895. His examination lasted 28 hours, began on the 4th of that month, and | ended on the 7th. He was very | quick and correct with his work.'' iln face of this information the Government was surprised to hear Mr Hutcheson's allegation that the examining officer had been disrated for improper practices. A cable message was therefore sent to the Right Hon. G. JT. Ileicl, Premier of New South Wales, stating what had keen made public, and asking whether it was correct. A reply was received yesterday by the Ministers, of which the following is a copy: "I am informed by theMarine Board that the allegations are not correct. There are no grounds whatever for such outrageous statements. (Sd.) Hugh Pollock, Secretary to the Attorney-General in the absence of the Premier." Mr J. Hutcheson informs me he will sink the marine charges in the election, confining himself to the issue whether he shall in future support the Government on all questions( in. which case he would not accept the seat), or shall exercise free, unfettered judgment. Practically he asks the electors to return him as an independent Liberal. Last night he intended to challenge the Hon. Hall-Jones to contest the Wellington seat, but was pulled up by the Speaker. Mr Hutcheson declares that he is not sorry for this, as it would have looked like crowing. Mr Jellicoe has already announced himself a candidate, and has engaged the Opera House. Mr Huteheson's seat was declared vacant last night after his resignation was read. To-day, shortly after the House met, the Premier moved that the Speaker be directed to issue a warrant to the Clerk of Writs to issue a new writ for an election to fill the vacancy. The Clerk of Writs will forthwith issue a writ to the Returning Orhcer accordingly, returnable within twenty-one days. The election will probably be held on the 20th inst. ■ The "Times'* to-day says Mr Hutcheson, by the time and manner of his resignation, confessed that personal pique and political antagonism are more powerful motives with him than conscientious conviction and duty to the electors. Had he resigned before the division on the no-confi-dence motion took place he could have preserved.a decent show of being animated by a desire to maintain his constituency and avoid violence to either his conscience or pledge. • By voting against the Government he broke his distinct pledge made at the time of his election, and repeated from the public platform a few weeks ago. He deliberately chose to record a hostile vote and then resign in a way calculated to inflict the maximum injury upon the Government. The facts favour the presumption that political antagonism is the moving cause of Mr Hutcheson's action. It must be admitted Mr Hutcheson has done emphatically the right thing, though he has done it in a wrong way and at the wrong- time. There seems every probability Mr Huteheson will be reelected. The Government may decide not to "run" any candidate' against him, with a view to placing the election on a purely personal footing as between the senior member and his constituents. It remains to be seen whether Mr Hutcheson will' satisfy the Wellingtpn electors either that his course has been the true one, or that zeal for the public interest alone was the cause of several serious deviations'.