STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 988, 1 December 1910, Page 6

STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY.

A DEFINITE CHALLENGE. "THESE INUENDOES." Mr. Massey said as the Opppsition organiser's name had been mentioned, he desired to make a personal explanation.. AVhile Mr. Martin, the organiser, was travelling in the train, someono handed him a book to read. Ho had seen it then for the first time, and went on reading it. He got. into conversation with somo people in the train, and the book was discussed. He (Mr. Massey) had heard of tho incident, and ho knew of the book. It was a book written by a man called Braund. Ho (Mr. Massey) at onco instructed Mr. Martin not to carry the book with him, and that he was not to uso it in any way whatever, .and he knew that Mr. Martin had carried out his instructions. In regard to tho pamphlet that had been referred to Sir Josoph Ward had not referred to him (Mr. Massey) directly, but only indirectly, and by imputation. "If," continued Mr. Masse;,-, "he can .prove that I havo had anything to do with its production," or that I knew of its preparation or production prior, to its being put on sale in the streets of the cities, I am willing to hand in my resignation, and retire from politics for all time. (Hear, hears.) Nojv there is a straight-out offer, and I am willing to stand by it. If ho can provo that I knew anything of it my resignation goes in at once." Tho Hon. Mr. Duncan: I am glad to hear it. Mr. Massey: Very well. I mako that offer hero and I'll make it to the peoplo of this country, and I know there arc some people in this country who would be very glad indeed to see mo go out of politics. Tho Hon. Mr. Duncan: Oh, no; not so many. A Challenge to tho Prime Minister. Mr. Massey: Well, I am glad to hear the hon. gentleman say so. I know tkoro are many people opposed to mo like the hon. gentleman who aro personal friends of mine. Now, sir, I leave that and the offer stands. The right hon. gentleman said a member of the Opposition— not a member in tho House at the present time—had written-tho greater part of the pamphlet. I don't know who tho hon. gentleman is referring to. Sir Joseph Ward: I am not referring to a member of the present House. Mr. Massey: I don't think tho statement made by tho right hon. gentleman Rhanlri rest there. If it is anyone con-

nectcd with the Opposition, then ho should give the nouso tho name, and I challenge him to do so. Thcso innuendoes are not fair. They are not fair to us. Mr. Fisher: He is doing the same thing as ho objected to in Mr. Hine. Mr. Massey: I know tho lion, gentleman is speaking under somq strain, and I can sympathise with tho hon. gentleman. In connection with that attack I may tell him that my sympathies go out to him. (Hear, hear.) So far as Black is concerned, I do not know him. I believe ho is a man who owns a little newspaper in Auckland —a Russian or a Rumanian. I have been informed by a man on this sidj of the House 'who knows about such matters that the pamphlet could bo produced at a cost of three-farthings a copy, and if it is being sold at Gd., then there should bo a - particularly good profit on it. I have reason to believo that •it was got up for profit, and I am strengthened in that view by tho fact that another pamphlet was issued from tho samo source at Gd. It is a pamphlet giving "the secret history of the Auckland Tramway Company," and it was issued for commercial purposes. This one has, I believe, been issued with exactly tho' same object, and no ono directly connected with the Opposition in any way had the very slightest hand ■in tho issuing of that .pamphlet. (Government hear, hears.) REMARKS BY MR. HERDMAN. HARD HITTING, BHT FAIR. Mr. Jas. Allen (Bruce) by way of personal explanation said it was quite true that ho had seen the pamphlet. He did not buy it; it was given to him, but he had never read it, and he did not know that it contained a reference to the right hon. gentleman's family. Ho did show it to one of his own supporters in the train, and that was all ho had ever done. ' Mr. Herdman (Wellington North) said ho regretted very much that recent circumstances had made it necessary for tho Primo Minister to deliver- the speech he had made that afternoon. It was necessary that some statement should be made regarding this scurrilous pamphlet that had been circulated from end to. end of the colony. The statement made by Mr. Taylor was one that was very sirious so far as the Opposition party was concerned. Already they had had tho assurance of Mr. Massey that they knew nothing of the issue of the pamphlet. . He had been told that one member of the Crown had made a statement in an institution to which lie (Mr. Herdman) belonged that the Opposition party were directly or indirectly responsible for. the pamphlet, and that ho could prove it. He had gone to that gentloman, and had discovered that the statement was hardly correct, and ho had asked Mr». Massey if he knew of any member of the Opposition party who was in any way associated with that document, either in its compilation or production. Ho was assMed that no member of the Opposition party had anything whatever to do with it. And more than that, they considered this method of fighting as one of the most discreditable, disgraceful, and cowardly methods that a man could possibly indulge in. (Hear, hoars.) They on that side of tho House always endeavoured to act as gentlemen, and they endeavoured to be fair to their opponents. It was true they hit hard, and that they gave some hard knocks.

Sir Joseph Ward: Hear, hear, and no one objects to it. A Challenge to Mr. Hogan. - Mr. Herdman: But no man on this side of tho House would hit below tho belt. Mr. Hogan (Wanganui): Let each man speak for himself. Mr. Fraser (to Mr. Hogan): Don't talk nonsense.. Mr. Massey (rising in his place): I challenge Mr. Hogan to give any Opposition name connected with it. Silence in Mr. Hogan's quarter. Sir. Massey: And he 'cannot do it. Mr. Herdman: I cannot understand Mr. Hogan making the interjection at all. If he has suspicions of anyone on this side, let him stand up and say £o. Mr. Nosworthy: Let him be man enough to say. 'so. Mr. Herdman: Yes, let him be man enough to say so. I want Mr. Hogan. to understand that thero is no man oh this' side of tho House but who recognises that such tactics should not be indulged in, and I wish the public outsido of this institution to understand that wo scorn the man who adopts this method of fighting, and repel any suggestion or connection of being associated with it. I regard tho man who has attacked the Premier this way as a blackguard, and there I shall leave tho matter.

What is Tammanyism? This, however (continued Mr. Herdman), was not the matter under discussion, and he proceeded to refer to tho Hine charges. Some members on the other sido of the House apparently regarded them as frivolous, but apparently the Government did not Tegard them in that light, seeing that they had como to the conclusion that sufficient facts had been brought before them to warrant legislation to prevent their recurrence. Mr. Kino, therefore, deserved great credit for facing tho committee, and proving his charges, up to the hilt. 1 As to Tammanyism, there were different definitions of that term. Where a man sold his vote for some personal gain that, to his mind, was Tammanyism. Where he used his vote ■ for some personal gain, that was Tammanyism. And so was a case in which ho used his public position for personal gain. Taking fees for a petition upon which one was himself' to adjudicate, surely that was Tammanyism ? In the case of Mr. Kaihau, obviously that was Tammanyism. Also when influence was brought to bear on a newspaper, as was done in this case, that was Tammanyism in a sense. And he ventured to declare that when public funds were spent on roads and bridges to influence an electorate, that when persons were appointed to public positions in the service of the country as a reward for political services rendered—as had been admitted in this country—that was Tammanyism. "A Pattern of Propriety." Mr. Herdman (proceeding) said that if public money were diverted for the purpose of influencing votes then Tammanyism did exist in this country. He knew that'we had not got it in New Zealand in the exaggerated form one found it in other countries. As regards Mr. Taylor he posed as a pattern of propriety, a man who would fight for what was right and for a pure public life. Why then had he brushed tho charges aside? Did ho believe that the people affected were justified in their actions? A member: He went the length of saying that Mr. Kaihau should resign. Mr. Herdman said he would ask why he had brushed aside the charges against Mr. Symes and Mr. Mnjor.

Mr. Taylor: I said that Mr. Symes had done very wrong.

Continuing, Mr. Herdman said that he could not understand why Mr. Taylor had attempted to ridicule Mr. Hine. Did he really 1 wish to assist the Government ? Sometimes ho attacked the Government; sometimes the Opposition.' Was nis attack on the Opposition genuine? Ho ventured to think that Mr. Taylor was looking to the future —to next election, when he hoped to lead the Labour party. Mr. Taylor: That would help the Government a lot. Continuing, Mr. Herdman said that neither the Government nor tho Opposition would have Mr. Taylor in its ranks. He was a lonely wanderer; an outcast; a spent force. No man had attacked the Administration moro than he. Dealing with tho charge against Mr. Symes of sending a threatening letter, Mr. Herdman said that Mr. Taylor could see nothing wrong in it. Why the Pamphlet Had Been Introduced, There was no other meaning to he taken out of it but that if the paper did not support him ho would see they did not get Government advertisements. Mr. Taylor was responsible for the introduction of the pamphlet into tho debate. Ho intended to convoy the impression that the Opposition were in some way responsible for tho production of the pamphlet. He also intended to convey tho impression that the Opposition press had likewise something to do with it. Ho could not understand why Mr. Taylor should have attempted to do that. It could only be for tho sako of doing them injury. Mr. Massey. He,'said the Opposition press encouraged the pamphlet. In conclusion, Mr. Herdman said that the ; House should be placed in possession of the ftt'l details in regard to the pur-

chase of the whole of the estates by the Government. Mr. Taylor, by way of personal explanation, read from his Hansard proof to show that he had not accused the Opposition with being responsible for the issue of tho pamphlet. Mr. Herdman insisted that tho remarks did bear tho construction of which lie had complained. "ONE OF THE JUDGES." MOKE ABOUT THE PAMPHLET. Mr. V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands) commenced by reading portions of the speeches made by Sir'. Hino before the inquiry was set up. While he was (loins' so lie broke off and complained that Mr. Massey had just referred to bini as one of the judges of tho Hino Committee. Mr. Massey said tho remark was made in private, conversation with Mr. Buchanan, and he did not ttiink any decent man would take any notice of it. The Speaker ordered those words to bo withdrawn. At tho conclusion of his speech, Mr. Reed said he did not know who wrote the pamphlet about Sir Joseph Ward, but he was certain it was being used for political purposes. Why else were they being sold for eighteenpence a dozen in some parts of the Dominion? Three thousand copies had been circulated free in Auck-' land and Wellington. The purpose was to make political capital for next election. A poster had been forwarded to him from his district which contained these, amongst other headlines: "Sensational exposure of Sir Joseph Ward. His life history. How he became Prime Minister.of New Zealand. Read this book and learn how it is that purity of administration is impossible while a man with such a career is at the head of tho State," etc. Tho poster further alleged that indirect attempts had been made to interfere with the sale of the book, and threats made to deport tho author. The pamphlet bore tho imprint of an Auckland publishing agency. "A POLITICAL SCORPION." ME. BUCHANAN REPLIES TO MR. > TAYLOR, Mr. Buchanan (Wairarapa) protested with all his strength against the insinuation made that the Opposition was .at tho bottom of this wretched, miserable pamphlet. No settler had been more pained than he sinco this publication came under his notice. Only the other day in his district when ho was looking for a show catalogue a man rushed up. to him and wanted to push the pamphlet, into his hand. Had it not been for making a scene ho would have' thrust the pamphlet down the man's throat. Mr. Witty: That is what should . bb done. Mr. Massey: Had ho bought it it would have been brought up in the House. . . Continuing, Mr. Buchanan said Mr. Taylor had referred to his action with Captain Scddon. That incident was characteristic of Mr. Taylor, and tho violence of his attitude was characteristic of Mr. Taylor. On that occasion he said he was alone. He would always be alone. He was a political Ishmaelito. Ho asked Mr. Speaker if it would be in order to term Mr. Taylor a political scorpion. (Laughter.) Ho did not want to be personal, but that was Mr. Taylor's nature, and it would always bo so. When tho .Hino charges were brought down tho state r meat that they might bo true was scorned. Tho Government did not decide to meet the charges until a cable was received from the Old Country showing the notice that had been taken of them. Other Comments by Mr. Buchanan. Sir Joseph Ward: That is not correct. Mr. Buchanan: I am bound to accept your statement. ■ Continuing, Mr. Buchanan referred to tho charges against Mr. Major. Ho declared that the report brought down by the chairman was a narty report. On the motion of Mr. Massey that report was amended. By tho report, as originally drafted, there was a distinct lowering of the public life. The receipt Symes of commission was' rightly, found to be improper. As regards the letter,, incident,, the 'ijpa, Stratford district had not broken confidence. There was strong justification for the uso of the letter. In conclusion, Mr. Buchanan referred to the Flaxbourno case. He said, with long exnerience, that it was rubbish to suggest that it was possible for Mr. Wilson to thoroughly report on tho property in the time which ho spent there. As regards tho Nai Nai, it was proved that the firm of tho Hon. Mr. Macdonald pocketed a large commission. How was it that they had escaped, and Mr. Symes had not? The Hon.. J. A. Millar had repudiated the statement that tho land was suitable for the purposes for which it was purchased;

A DIVISION. ME. ALLEN'S AMENDMENT LOST. Mr. Allen's amendment, that the House disagree with that portion- of the findings relating to the IV Akair block, the Flaxbourne case, and the letter written by Mr. Symes to M'Cluggage was then put.. . , Upon a division, tho amendment was rejected by 40 votes to 20. The voting was as follows:— For the amendment (20)—Anderson, Bollard, Buchanan, Fisher, Frascr, Guthrie, Hardy, Herdman, Herries, HinOj Lane, Malcolm, Mauder, Massey, Newman, Nosworthy, Okey, Phillipps, Scott, AVright, Against the amendment (46)— Arnold, Brown, Buddo, Buxton, Carroll, Clark, Colvin, Craigie, Davey, T. Duncan, Ell, Field, Forbes, Glover, Graham, Greenslade, Hall, Hanan, Hogan,. Jennings, Laurenson, Lawry, Macdonald, R. M'Kenzie, T. Mackenzie, M'Laren, Millar, Myers, Ngata, Parata, Polland, Poole, Eangihiroa, Reed, Boss, Bussell, Soddon, Sidey, Smith, Stallworthy, Steward, E. H. Taylor, J. C. Thomson, AVard, AVilford, Witty. "SPIES ALL ABOUT THE COUNTRY."

ME. HEEBIES GIVES ADVICE TO MINISTERS. Mr. Herries (Tauranga) said he had not intended to speak, but he understood that whilst he was out of the House attending a Committee, the Prime Minister had said he had distributed pamphlets in regard to his past life. He wished to give this statement an unqualified denial. He would not do such a low-down thing, nor did he think others of the party would, and he could give it an unqualified denial. What it. did show, however, was to what an extent people spied on members. It seemed, from what tho Prime Minister said, that reports were coming to hand from various quarters about members of the House. It seemed that thero were spies all about the country dogging tho footsteps of public men and reporting to headquarters accordingly. This he thought was a state of affairs to be deprecated. If he were, in tho position of tho Prime Minister he would put a stop to tittle-tattle of the kind. It was generally recognised that all informers were liars and the person who listened to them naturally only created ill-feeling with thoso he was dealing with, and often, to use a colloquialism, "fell into tho soup." He sincerely hoped that the Prime Minister would discourage this sort of thing—which he understood was very prevalent. He had no doubt that public life would bo far better and far more pleasant if tho class of men he had referred to were discouraged. Members would certainly live a more comfortable life. Referring to the Prime Minister's speech on Tuesday Mr. Herries remarked on the constant reference to "dead men," or "accusing dead men." He thought this particular thing was rather overdone. Everyone, bo thought, would acknowledge that to talk of the private life of a dead man was bad, but the public life of a man, alive or dead, was, he thought, subject for legitimate criticism. How, he asked, could we tako lessons from the past if we did not consider what had been done by dead statesmen? Tho history of tho Government's negotiations in connection with the acquisition of To Akau wero curious. MR. KAIHAU ON HIS. DEFENCE. THAT BOLL OF NOTES. Mr. Kaihau (Western Maori ■ district) said there wore 000,000 square miles in tho district which he represented. During the years he had been 'V HU.ttex-sa

lie had not done, anything that was wrong. Ho that he was the Independent member of the House. Whilo ho had been in Parliament ho had been asked by members on many occasions to give them a vote. If the Government had a proposal which gave him any advantage he supported it. This present state o£ affairs was the payment meted out to him for fifteen years' loyal service. He had been trying to find out how au honest and straightforward man should go, and he was held up to ridicule. The chaTges had been brought up from some unknown place. He had been told thnt certain people had been paid to say that he had been paid certain moneys. Ho had nothing to do with the petition of Horomona Watarauihi until it was thrown.out. Subsequently, Horomona sought his advice. Ho replied that he would have ,to look up the records. His travelling expenses would cost .£ls. He found that Horomona had told the Appellate Court a falsehood. For that reason ho did not proceed on his behalf. Horomona had never paid him his expenses. There was no payment for conducting a ' petition. If so, why did he not. complain, say six months after? Ho knew "there was something behind it all. Then,. there was the case of Kahu Huatare. He did not take his money. As regards the case of Mohi te Wara, he got it in hand. Supposing Slohi had paid him for his work, could it be said it had anything to do with tho petition? If the money had been paid when ho telegraphed,' it would not have been associated with the petition. Maoris looked at things from an entirely different standpoint than Europeans. Supposing the report says he had sinned, what was to happen? Matters such as that should not be brought into Parliament, for it was a sacred place.. He was at a. loss to understand the findings of the committee. The committee had, he felt, been unable to find him guilty. Probably some other members expected payment for things they did for people in tlieir (Laughter.) He was entitled to appear in the Native Land Court and the Appellate Court, and he appeared against- Mr. Bell, K.C., in the Te Akau case, and won it. European lawyers were not skilled in Maori law and custom. Of what had he been found guilty, and under what section of what Act? He was particularly grieved that an attempt had been made to couple the Government and tho Premier with him in tho To Akau charge. It was merely a matter between. Maoris and Maoris. He had never had more than a few 'minutes' conversation with the Premier. They should uphold and protect a gentleman in the high position of Premier. After eulogistic references to the Prime Minister and Mr. Carroll, Mr. Kaihau said the latter was- to some extent an enemy of his in the TeAkau matter, and he (Mrl Kaihau) had had nothing to do with the Minister or tho Government in the matter. ' Mr. Massey knew nothing about To Akau, but he (Mr. Kaihau) had gone aIL over the. land "like a'wheel turning round and round." (Laughter.) Did Mr. Massey think Ngatitahinga, or the.Tainui owned the land? Tainui was a canoe. How could a canoe own land? After going into tho history of the Te Akau titles at some length, Mr. Kaihau ssiid it had been alleged that a certain chief of the Ngatitahinga had tried, to bribe a member of Parliament with--' a roll of notes, but there, were no witnesses, and he would not credit the charge. .Why was not the gentleman who made that statement cross-examined? If the notes were put into his pocket, were they returned? Who knew? The Opposition were supporting-him in that matter at that time. It looked funny. (Laughter.) If he was to be blamed for receiving money for work done, what about the presentations, etc.,' that Mr: Massey had received? Were not they payments for what he had done for his constituents? In conclusion, Mr. Kaihau said he saw no use in bringing up the matter at .all. If they were going to look into such things they might find a great many more. He left himself in the hands of the House. H6 did not object to an election, but perhaps they ought all ■ to go oiit, for the slur rested on all. He was whito and clean in the matter of the charges that had been made against him.

MAORI ETHICS. REMARKS Mi' TE RANGIHIROA. Dr. .Te Rangihiroa (Northern- Maori) ' said he' was astonished ..that the sweep ; ' | ing charge of corrupt .practice.mado or-, iginally should lie abandoned for minor 1 charges as had. been done. Ho did not'think that the charge 6f Tamnianyism had been.' upheld by the evidence produced. As to the charge against Mr. Kaihau, it was a difficult thing. for a, Maori member to understand the workings of the European mind. The Maori had his own system of ethics, which was as strict and high, as ho had opportunity, as that of ■ any Anglo-Saxon. There was no law on the Statute Book which condemned what Mr*. Kaihau had done. He had transgressed a system of European ethics. From Mr. Kaihau's point of view, a sum of money given to a 1 European member by his constituents occupied exactly the same position as what he had done. If Mr.. Kaihau had an idea that he was doing anything wrong he would never have sent the telegram of which evidence had been given at the inquiry. Mr. Kaihau had the reputation of being a very astute businessman. Referring to the pamphlet which has been circulated concerning the Prime Minister, and his family, Dr. Te Rangihiroa said the purpose of the pamphlet was simply to prejudice the head of the Government. It was an unspeakable, disgusting, and filthy thing. He went on to explain that when walking along with Mr. Allen the latter passed him a copy of the pamphlet. He knew this was not done to prejudice him (the speaker), and he gladly accepted Mr. Allen's statement that he did not know what the contents of the booklet were. If he had he would not have insulted him (the speaker) by handing it to him.

SPEECH BY MR. HINE, "FULLY JUSTIFIED." Mr. Hine (Stratford) said he did not intend to traverse tho findings of the committee or the speeches- made, but there were one or two matters which.he could not let go. The debate had revealed that tho attitudo lie took up in the first place was justified. One of the matters to which he wished to refer was in regard to the.' matter brought into the debate by Mr. T. E. Taylor in reference 66 the pamohlet dealing with Sir Joseph .Ward. Every man and woman in New Zealand, he believed, would abhor such a document, and would destroy, it. One was sent to him, and he immediately put it in the fire. He would ask members on the other side of the House if they did the same thing. Had they not got it in a corner of their homes? As a matter of.fact, he had seen a ' colleague of the Prime Minister purchase one_ of tho ' pamphlets in tho street. If he' saw a man selling a publication liko that, attacking his Leader (Mr. Massey), lie would throw him in the gutter and take the responsibility. Mr. Taylor' had been kind enough -to say that his (Mr. Hinc's) political life had not been of long duration, and that he had mixed more with cattle than with men. If all men were built' of the same calibre as Mr. Tavlor, he would rather mix.with cattlo all his life. (Oil's, and laughter). . When Mr. Taylor was nreTiaring a speech in the library, ho (Mr. Taylor) remarked to him (Mr. taric) that he was going to speak in the House and pull the charge out of him (Mr. Hino), if possible. He (the sneaker) there and then showed Mr. Taylor a letter he had in his possession, and which was afterwards put in as evidence at the inquiry. In the . letter blackmail and demands for money were set out. Mr. Taylor's comment was that "with that in your possession you would not only be justified, but you would be doing a* base thing if you refused it." .Mr. Taylor came .into the House that night, and made a snecch, in which he stated that Mr. Hino would render the country a distinct service by placing the matter before the House. "Off His Own Bat." Later on he (Mr. Taylor) said that, he did not believe that Mr. Hine wished to insinuate that any member had been guilty of- a dishonourable action in regard to land purchase. Yet in his speech of Tuesday Mr. Taylor hod said Mr. Hine had said Tanimanyism existed,, and anplied only to the Ministry in power. In the face of what ho had "told the House that day, could thqy say the action of Mr. Taylor was honest between member and member, after having received, seen, .And read nortion of tha evidence to be

submitted, and . .having.. expressed, thj" views indicated before? 1 Not one.'indi- . vidual in the House or in. the country, knew.the contents of the speech in whichhe first mentioned the . charges. Nomember of. tho House had, any. hand' ia - the framing of the charges—not one in-' dividual. It was. "off his own bat" thafci he made thexharges,. and he alone took the (< responsibility,- As -to the references to dead men,' such references had beenmade by a member of ,the Executive as' well as by members. It was a most despicable and cowardly action to say that he had the late Mr. Seddon in his H° US Il S - ? r V, H ioa did not ente h honghts at all. He was solely conceW wf $li lg ri° mo the char EO that mem. hers of the House were using their po«i. hons for their own personal gain, ft thought now that he had pr.veu. tb.lv and that he had been fully justified to the stand ho had taken in this matter Jiy way of personal explanation Mr. iaylor said Mr. Hme had shown'him a photo of the letter written by Mr Synies, and he (Mr. Taylor) said: "Hine if you. have the original of that letter you oertainly ought to give details to the House and fight it out.". The nighf of that day he made a speech arguing that if- Mr. Hine knew of anything wrong he should place the facts before th» . House. ' OTHER SPEECHES; . VIEWS" OP .ME.'MYERS. Mr. A. M. Myers (Auckland East) said Minister was really to be envied, because after tho cowardly and'' despicable attacks made on him in the' pamphlet and his detailed answer to it' he was placed on a higher pinnacle than |?« h ad been before. .He did not think Mr. Taylor was justified in blaming the Opposition for the pamphlet. (Hear, hear.) ■■■*.* Mr. Taylor: I did not say so'. Continuing, Mr. Myers said that ha had not read or handled tho pamphlet, and one and all of the Prime Minister's political opponents he had spoken to had condemned it as unmanly and un-Bri-i j '^ nero was mot one man out of a hundred in the Dominion who would say the pamphlet was worthy of a Britisher.' lurmng to the report of the committee, Mr. Myers said that he did not think the charges of Tammanyism had been proved, and, that being so, Mr. Hine should apologise to the House. The attitude of the Opposition throughout the inquiry had given the impression that they were not so much concerned with ascertaining tho truth as with making political capital. The Opposition had shown that they were obsessed with the idea of gaining party advantage. He congratulated Mr. Hine on bringing forward, his charges, but he regretted they; had been accompanied by such intern-' perate language. -Mr. M'Laren's Views. Mr. Mlaren (Wellington"'East) ' coiv tended that Mr. Hine did not understand' the meaning of words. If the whole of the charges had been proved this would not have proved ; "Tammanyism." It would only have proved guilt on the, part of four individuals. ■ There had been no tittle of evidence that the Government was in collusion with any of the persons charged. . Eeferring to the much-discuss-ed pamphlet, Mr. Mlaren remarked that the publisher was a man of straw. There must be someone behind him. He did not suggest that the Opposition party had any hand in the matter at all, hut he thought it would have been better if the Opposition had taken a more active hand in having it suppressed. There had been a considerable waste of time,' energy, and money on the part of those hon. gentlemen who wished to convict the Executive. The people were getting sick and tired of the political scandals which wero raised for party purposes. The time so wasted should bo devoted to improving the lot of tho toiling 'massea (Hear, hear.) Mr.- Malcolm (Clutha) said that at the first meeting of the party that session Mr. Massey spoko in very uncomplimenf> ary terms in regard to the pamphlet. 1 He'strongly suggested that no member of' the party should'associate himself with it. It was suggested that Mr. Massey should publicly denounce the pamphlet, but there was a consensus of opinion that if this were done the Opposition woulS be. .accused of:.,doing; it to" advertise the pamphlet:'" Eveky"member of "the' party denounced it at the caucus.'

Mr. Fisher (Wellington Central) said; that Mr.. M'Laren's horror of the: party system was bo great .that; he had been, trying'for years to'form a third party. ' ■ Mr. M'Laren: It does not want you. Mr. Fisher'-. It. asked me to join and' I would not. (Laughter.) Plain Words. ' Continuing, Mr. Fisher said that all i. the members of the Opposition believed that the Prime Minister' 'was brutally attacked in the pamphlet. As regards the innuendo that the Opposition were associated with it he would say in thelanguage of Mr. Balfour, that it was acool, frigid, and calculated lie, and that tho persons who made it were infamous' liars. The Prime Minister would be assisted by the Opposition to add to the Libel Bill a clause which would enable the authors of the pamphlet to be pro- ; secured: . If Mr. Massey had denounced the pamphiit it might have been said: . "He that excuses himself accuses him- ■ self.":. If the pamphlet were . not ■• put down it would now, as the result of the' debate, sell faster than ever Continuing, Mr. Fisher said_ that ho thought Mr. Hine was justified in bring- • ing the chaTges. Mr. ll.' H. Taylor: He did not proro them. Mr. Fisher: He proved seven out of ten of them. Mr.. Taylor: No. Mr. Fisher went on to say that he hoped Mr. Taylor might some day have. the courage to try and purify the public life. Mr. Taylor (heatedly): I hope I shall : never become. a political sanitary inspector! • . Mr. Speaker: The hon. member mus> : restrain himself. ■ ' ' . ) Scouting. Mr. Brown (Napier) said that he must, compliment the Prime' Minister on' his' splendid speech that afternoon. Mr. Herdman had said that Mr. Taylor wanted to be the leader of a party. His worst enemy would not hope to see him'in that position. , If lie led any party, for five minutes it would be wrecked. (LaughteT.) He had heard Mr. Hine say that he had done everything off his own bat. "Well, all he could say, was that he had a good many people scouting for him. There had teen seme' scouting for him in his district. He cculd understand Mr. Kaihau taking money for work ho did for the Natives. Mr. Kaihau' knew that European . members received presentations. His people felt that he' had looked after their interests. It was a usual thing as regards his race, and he did not think they should blame him. .

Mr. Laurenson Attacks "The Dominion."

Mr. Laurenson (Lyttclton) said personal abuse, attack,'and misrepresentation had reached its lowest level in the pamphletissued dealing with the affairs of the. Prime Minister. Referring .'..-to Thb Dominion, ho argued that The Dominion had consistently misrepresented and mocked the Primo Minister in its leading columns. He had not read through the hundreds of pages of clap-trap and scandal-mongery taken in evidence beforetho committee, but he knew that the charges wero not brought against Mr.. Syines, Mr. Major, ' or Mr. Kaihau. They were really levelled against the Government of tha day. Reverting to the pamphlet, Mr. Laurenson said that when ho_ thought of that unspeakable production, he regretted that the day had passed when a man could resent this sort of thing with a blow or a pistol.

"History" of the Pamphlet ' Mr. Wright (Wellington South) said. The Dominion was to Mr.. Laurenson like a red rag to a bull. Those who conducted'that journal must be gratified at the number of times it was quoted.in the House. Mv. Laurenson did not refute a single argument in tho "Yes-No" article on the Prime Minister in The DomxiON. Proceeding to deal with the pamphlet, Mr. Wright said it was not possible, because it would not be correct, to connect tho Opposition with it. There was no evidonco to show that the pamphlet had been distributed free. The object in making that assertion was to' make outthat moneyed people were .'at. tho back of the alleged movement. He denied that it was true that there had been wholesale distribution of the pamphlet. Mr. E.H. Tavlor: It'is perfectty true Mr. Massey: He is a Christian man. v ,

"' "" '"■ '"""•' "".'• ■■"-. '"" "'?;:' proceeding,: Mr. Wright said he would ;'-^challenge:Mr. Laurcnsoh to name one in-;-V sfatution in which the pamphlet had ~ v The object in introduc- ?.:. xng' the pamphlet was to draw a red her- |';.-.■■■ ;»ng.'across thov scent;. The Opposition f, y^ l W, T? 1 ! 6 ,not associated with the ■ ..pampnlet, but.had prevented 'its publi-■calaon-years ago. -The material in the p'. Pamphlet was taken from the writings t. .. of ; an accountant in Wellington. That h accountant -had asked him and other F'^ n elsowhere to a -.publish' it ■ This man then asked him $:■ Miused.and other printers also refused.' '•■^■^fn™ im .' *° .whom .he referred had rei, f cenly^ a t e d j t6 print his larger para-' ''■ '&, v \Fl told him that those who had f'-'-H' ■'. llle current pamphlet had sold t,;..; ; /u,uuu -copies, and were making a lot of ;■■: money out of! it. -;- MR. HANAN IN REPLY.' v';; i:.' v-.-lfi' CONTEMPTIBLE INSULT." ' Mr. Hanan (chairman of the Hine Committee) thougHt that tho country from one ' «? ■ 4° tae other was sick and tired of tho-Hihe chiiTges. A. contemptible insult --, had:,been offered to him by Mr. Allen, .whose political bias and prejudice blinded .-. Mm, 'and allowed him to talk with a reckless disregard for all that was just'in .'.- political warfare. The insult was that eo far as three of the charges were concerned ho did not, as chairman of the committee, 6how an unbiassed judgment. V reply : was that the findings of tho committee were carried by 46 to 20. No judge, would hold that the Fiastourue. • charge . was. proved. Would Mr. Masscy Bay.it was established?. ' Mr.\Massey:'.l 'would. ' • ■ Mr. ;JHanan, continuing, said that the , letter sent by Mr. Symcs to Mr. M'Clnggage was open.to two constructions. He did:not deny that. With .the. exception 'of one member, nothing had come out lellecting on members.'.,; The'motion to adopt the report of the committee' was carried on the voices at IS0 : a.m.-