THE KNYVETT CASE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 776, 28 March 1910, Page 8

THE KNYVETT CASE.

WHEN THE HOUSE MEETS. STATEMENT BY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, March 27. The Knyvett case promises to resolve itself into a political question, and to occupy some attention when the House meets. Seen as to the decision of the Cabinet not to reopen the matter, Mr. W. F. Massey, M.P., Leader of- the Opposition, said: "Like many others, I am very sorry that the Government has not seen fit to allow Captain Knyvett's case to be decided in open Court, either by a Royal Commissioner or otherwise; but if I know my fellow-citizens, they will not allow this matter to drop until it has been probed to the bottom. If Captain Knyvett is wrong, he will take his punishment like a man, but what we demand for him is a fair trial, and that he has not yet had. He has been condemned without being tried, because the farcical inquiry which was held was not a trial in any sense of the word. I am. quite sure the public who have looked into what has taken place are behind the committee, and will, assist and support them in every way possible. It is evident now that there are powerful influences at work to prevent any inquiry being held, but if the committee stands fast as they are doing, it is safe to predict, that the difficulties in the way will disappear as we get nearer to the general election.

"I am pleased to learn," added Mr. Massey, "that the committee intend to hold meetings in the districts outside Auckland. I have just returned from a visit to Wellington, and was rather: .surprised to find that very few outside of the Auckland district understood thoroughly what has taken place. If they did, I am quite sure they would be just as indignant and just as anxious for a proper inquiry as those who have _ attended the meetings recently held in Auckland City. I have already said I have no desire to make party capital out of Captain Knyvett's case, and do not intend doing so, but for all that, anything I can do either in Parliament or out of it, to assist a good' cause and prevent injustice taking place will be done readily and willingly." j ■ , ■ ■ • Should a vote of no confidence be moved at least one Government, supporter _ has pledged himself to support it against the Government, namely. Mr A: E: Glover, M.P. for Auckland Central.

The Government," he says-, "has acted in a manner which has caused many of their supporters to smart under a sense of injustice, and I, for one, am determined to see this matter through, even at the risk of being ostracised from Parliamentary life. The case will be fought out on the floor of the ilouse, and if a want of confidence moJiP n ' s the.result I shall vote against the Government."

The Minister for Education (the Hon. ««>• Fowlds) preferred not to-dismiss the Knyvett case when interviewed by a- Herald'' representative at Auckland yesterday. He stated, however, that both Dr. Pindlay and ■ himself, who were waited upon at Auckland recently hy local deputations in connection with the matter, attended the' Cabinet meeting at which it was decided that the.case could, not be reopened. The fact was that there were no provisions in the statutes which would justify them in doing so. If an appeal to' Parliament was intended, the Minister said the petitioners would only be exercising the privileges provided by the law of the country.

The decision of Cabinet not to reopen the Knyvett case is.thus referred to by thejGoyernment,organ (the "Star"),:—. "The Prime Minister,' or/his colleagues, appear to be more anxious to secure a reputation for consistency than to con-, sider the question in an impartial and judicial spirit. ■ Here we think they are• perpetrating a very grievous .error in judgment, but it is . obvious that there is.nothing more to be got by addressing Ministers on this subject, and the only course left open to the large section of the general public interested in the matter is, to appeal to our representatives .in Parliament." ..