Echo of Bicycle Conversion Case

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 54, 5 March 1943, Page 4

Echo of Bicycle Conversion Case

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Mar. 4. Reference was made in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. J. Hodgcns (Palmerston North) to a report brought down by a Select Committee last session dealing with a Palmerston North case. Air. Hodgcns gave notice to ask the Trime Minister whether he would in future arrange that, when a petition was referred to a committee of the House which affected a constituent of a member other than the member presenting the petition, the member for the district concerned would be advised of the substance of the petition and the time and place of hearing, to enable him to arrange for his constituent to be heard in person or to make a statement in writing. He also asked whether, if it were not possible to have the particular question reopened, would provision be made in future committee investigations for the taking of evidence of both sides instead of relying on the evidence of the aggrieved party. In the cape to which he referred, said Mr. Hodgens, a committee of the House, at the instance of the member for Stratford, reported favourably on the petition of the father of a serviceman, who with an accomplice, was found guilty and sentenced by the Magistrate at Palmerston North. Mr. Hodgens said that as member for Palmerston North h«* was not aware of the reflection on Mr. Lawrv, S.M., until after the report was actually presented.