CASE OF MR. CRICK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13227, 12 July 1906, Page 5

CASE OF MR. CRICK.

PROCEEDINGS IN THE ASSEMBLY. DEBATE BARRED BY CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS. Br Telegraph-—Press Association. —Copy ' ( Received July 12, 12.59 a.m.} ■ '•■■■';-'' . Stdn'ey, July H. ■ The Premier (Mr. Cavruthers) moved in the Assembly to-day that the House proceed to deal with the Lands Commission's findings so far as they referred to, misconduct on the part of Mr. Crick, a member of the House. The latter took his stand on May's book on Parliamentary proof dine, where it is staled that when criminal or civil proceedings, are pending against a member the matter should not be dealt with by the House either by motion or otherwise The Attorney-General said there was no precedent to guide the Speaker, and there was no case of a criminal trial pending when a House dealt with a report. There had been cases where members had been expelled by vote of Parliament and subse quently tried by the direction of Parliament for a criminal offence. He admitted that such action must have created a great prejudice against the person on trial. The present matter was one peculiarly for the Speaker to decide. The Speaker ruled the motion out of order.' The finding of the Lands Commissioner (Mr. Justice Owen) that referred to Mr. Crick was as follows :—"'That of the sums received by Mr. Close, as land agent, in respect of matters then being dealt with by the Minister for Lands, Mr. Crick accepted one-half but that no officer of the Department received any money from Mr. Close." Criminal proceedings have been taken against Mr. Crick on the charge of conspiring with others to obtain moneys from applicants for leases and transfers.