THE CHIEF JUSTICE'S LETTER.

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

THE CHIEF JUSTICE'S LETTER.

COMMENT BY MR JAMES ALLEN. (SPECIAIi TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, December 1. During the concluding stages of the debate on Mr Hine's charges this morning, Mr James Allen, in the course of a speech, declared that Mr Hanan, chairman of the Hine Committee, whilst examining Mr Jennings in regard to the Symes letter charge, made an unfair use of that portion of the Chief Justice's letter to the Prime Minister dealing with tho matter. Mr Allen said that it would be recalled that the Chief Justice, in his letter to the Prime Minister, had commented on the charge relating to tho letter as follows: —"Chaise 4 is a reflection of the threats mentioned ; they were of a class that have not, so far as I know, been made the subject of a Parliamentary enquiry. The person making the threat was not at the time a member of Parliament." In addition, continued Mr Allen, the Chief Justice had said at the close of his letter:—'T may add that my brother Judges approve of this oiy reply to your letter." Mr Allen went on to say that when Mr Jennings was before the committee, Mr Hanan put a question which was wholly a reproduction of the first extract from the Chief Justice's letter. As a matter of fact, the person making tho threat was at the time a member of Parliament. Mr Hanan, he declared, should have known it. His question was an unfair question, and he had no right to nee a wrong statement made by the Chief Justice. Mr Hanan raised the point that Mr Allen had no right to say that ho had made a statement which he knew was wrong. Mr Speaker ruled that Mr Hanan had a right to explain. Mr Hanan then said that at the time he did not know the statement was wrong. In the afternoon Mr Speaker said that he should have asked Mr Allen to accept Mr Hanan's assurance. Mr Allen: I am always willing at any time unreservedly to accept the assurance of an honourable member, hut I was not aware last night that Mr j Hanan had given such an assurance. Mr Allen, continuing, said that the fact was that when Mr Symes's_ letter was written Parliament was still _itting, and sat for twenty-six days after that, so that Mr Symes was still a ! member of Parliament. The Chief I Justice had pre-judged the case. Mr Russell rose to a .point of order. I The.Speaker said that Mr Allen's words were a reflection on tho Chief Justice. j Several members: "Withdraw," "apologise." Proceeding, Mr Allen said that the paragraph of the Chief Justice's letter was read by the chairman at a sitting of the committee, and the witness was asked if be agreed with it. Mr Hanan pointed out that he Old not tell the witness that the Chief Justice was the author of the words. He held that any barrister might have asked such a question. He did not take any unfair advantage of the witness, who was Mr Jennings, M.P. Mr Jennings and others present were understood to confirm this statement. Mr Hanan also said there were certain tactics adopted by some wrestlers when they could not fairly beat en opponent; they tried to gouge his eyes out or choke him—(laughter)—and such methods appeared to be coming into vogue in political warfare in this country. At this jtoint the incident came to &n end.