MR J. MCCOMBS, M.P.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16164, 19 March 1918, Page 6

MR J. MCCOMBS, M.P.

SCOPE OF M.V.'S PRIVILEGES. i As yet no service of tho notice ta give reason why ho should not be adjudged a bankrupt has been clfected on Mr J. McCombs, M.P., who, it is understood, is at present somewhere in the North Island. Some misapprehension appears u> exist amongst the public as to tl<e latest date before the sitting of Parliament on which a member can be served with such a notice. Tho Legislature Act of 1908, makes it quite clear that the period is ten days before the commencement of the session. The Act says: "Where any member of the Legislative Council or member of Parliament ... is required by the process of any Court of Record to attend thereat ..personally, either during any session of the General Assembly or within ten days before the commencement thereof . . . such member or officer may apply to such Court to be exempted from attendance on such Court." The Act further states that such application for exemption from attendance shall be granted unless it appears to the satisfaction of tho Court that the ends of public justice would be defeated or injuriously delayed, or irreparable injury would be caused to any party to the proceedings by the iionattendance of such member, such exemption from attendance to dace till 10 days after the termination of the session. Tho Act also provides that any member of Parliament during session vho is required to attend Court within 10 days before the session, or 10 days after, may apply to the Speaker for exemption, and if he deemß that llie ends of justice would bo defeated or delayed or any party irreparably injured, the Speaker may grant a certificate to the effect that the member is irequired during the session. Such certificate, on being presented to the Court, exempts tho subject from attendance until ten days after the termination of the session.