THE HINE CHARGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14767, 24 August 1911, Page 6

THE HINE CHARGES.

LEGISLATION DEMANDED:

[BY TELEGRAPH.-—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] „ , Wellington, Wednesday.', „'■ The Leader of the Opposition was given an answer this afternoon to his inquiry as to whether it was intended to introduce legislation this session to give effect to the recommendations of the Hine Allegations Committee. The • recommendation was that legislation should be passed making it illegal for a member of Parliament to act on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person in negotiating the sale of an estate to the Crown. The printed reply given by Sir James Carroll was that the intentions of the Government regarding the legislation of this session will be made known in due course. .:

■Mr. Massey remarked that the reply was neither satisfactory nor courteous. The recommendation of the committee was made on the motion of Sir Joseph Ward, and when the report was presented the Prime Minister promised • that legislation would be introduced to give effect to the recommendation. The necessity for such legislation had been proved, and he was confident that there would be no difference of opinion in the House regarding such a measure. ;, The proper thing for the Government to do was to'introduce a Bill in fulfilment of the promise so definitely made by the Prime Minister. ' ; The Hon. T. Mackenzie said that if such a law had been in operation the country would, have been saved the costly investigation, running into thousands of pounds, which had absolutely failed to attach any blame or responsibility to the Government. -