THE HINE CHARGES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13905, 2 December 1910, Page 8

THE HINE CHARGES.

A NOTABLE SITTING. IMPRESSIVE SCENE IN THE HOUSE. CENSURE ON MR KAIHAU. (ariciAL TO "TH_ r__Bß.") WELLINGTON, December 1. A novel scene was enacted in the House of Representatives about two o'clock this morning, when the House was under the painful necessity of vindicating its own honour and reprimanding a member who. after full enquiry, had been found guilty of an in;- j propriety. The member in question j was Mr Henare Kaihau, representative of the Western Maori district, who had been iound guilty by the Special Committee of the House of receiving from his constituents moneys in respect of services rendered by him a_ a member of Parliament. The procedure followed on such an occasion :s simple, but none tho less dignified and impressive, and tho members of the House were obviously possessed of a desire to censure irregularities that had been committed without making the situation more painful than necessary for Mr Kaihau. The incident was a fitting climax to what had been a notable sitting. All afternoon and evening the debate had centred round the findings of the Committee set up to enquire into the charges made by Mr Hive, and the afternoon had been rendered still more memorable by a speech made by the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) in defence of his personal honour, which had been assailed in a slanderous pamphlet published in Auckland. From the oratorical and literary standpoints it was one of the best speeches, if not the best speech, ever delivered by Sir Joseph. He spoke more deliberately than usual, his periods were more incisive, and his argument was closer. He kept a fine command of hi. feelings all the time, and although the subject was obviously painful, he resolutely and vigorously met his slanderers and in a connected, logical speech scored point after point in defence of his personal honour. Thereafter member after member of the Opposition stood up and disclaimed any connection with the pamphlet, which they stigmatised in terms more heavily charged with abhorrence than tho Prime Minister's own. The unfortunate feature of the debate was that after the Opposition had completely proved that it had no a_soc*ation with the pamphlet, some of the least responsible members of tho Government party persisted in insinuating that it had, or that if it had not, the Opposition party throughout tho Dominion had countenanced the pamphlet. Not a shred of evidence was adduced in support of such a contention. The baseless insinuation was perhaps the best met by Mr F. M. B. Fisher, who, quoting words made historic by Mr Balfour, Leader of the British Opposition, said "it was a cool, frigid, and calculated lie, and tho persons who made it were infamous liars." It was Thursday morning before the debate terminated, and tho report of the Committee that enquired into Mr Hine's charges was adopted. Now had arrived the moment when the House must mark its displeasure with the Maori member who had been found guilty of an impropiety. At 1.40 a.m., by which time the strangers' gallery was deserted, the Prime Minister, as leader of the House, moved:—"That in the opinion of this House Mr Henare Kaihau, by receiving from his constituents .moneys in respect of services rendered by him as a member of Parliament, has been guilty of impropriety in the execution of his office." Air Kaihau was then in hie seat with an interpreter at his side. Tho Speaker explained the procedure, and said that if Mr Kaihau desired, he might spea_ in explanation of the misconduct charged against him, after which he must leave the Chamber while tho House deliberated. Mr Kaihau rose in his seat, and in low sonorous tones addressed the House in Maori, which was interpreted as he proceeded. Mr Kaihau repeated his declaration that he had done nothing wrong. The Prime Minister had brought down the motion and he v-«lr Kaihau) would leave himself in tue hands of the House. He would throw himself upon his constituents, but would challenge his accuser to do the same. "Let us both," he said, "throw ourselves into the hands of our constituents, and see which of us comes back. I am certain that I will, but 1 don't know about my friend." He would, he added, bow to the judgment of the House, and would leave €he chamber while members deliberated. The Maori and his interpreter then left the chamber and the Speaker put the motion. "All in favour of that say "Aye," he repeated in stereotype form. There was not a sound. "Against, No." "No," said Mr Lawry. In accordance with the usual practice, the Speaker declared that the "ayes" had it. Mr Lawry showed a disposition to challenge a division, but members around him discountenanced his doing so, and appealed to him to allow the decision to be unanimous. The Speaker again declared "The ayes have it," and the decision was not challenged. Mr Kaihau, accompanied by the interpreter and the Sergeant-at-Arms, then returned to the Chamber and took his seat, which is in the back row immediately opposite the Speaker's chair. Mr Kaihau stood while the Speaker said:—' T need hardly remind the hon. member that in the opinion of the House he has been guilty of an impropriety. I can quite understand how ho may have fallen into the error he* has committed, knowing he is a representative of the native race, and that the Standing Orders are not interpreted in the Maori language; he may not have known that he was committing an impropriety. I think I am justified in making that statement. (Hon members: "Hear, hear.") Mr Kaihau: I thank you for the manner in which you have explained the position to mc. I have nothing to say beyond this: I thank you and the hon. members of this House. The House then rose.