IMPUTATION OF BIAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 20 September 1929, Page 16

IMPUTATION OF BIAS.

CRITICISM OF CHAIRMAN.

COMMENTS" BY MEMBERS.

mr. t. w. Mcdonald's methods

[by telegraph.—special reporter.] WELLINGTON. Thursday.

An imputation of bias against the chairman led to a lively sceno at to-day's meeting of tho Solect Committee of tho House of Representatives, which is hearing ovidenco on the Rotorua-Taupo railway petition. Comment was mado by members of tho committee 011 the crossexamining methods of Mr. T. W. McDonald, chairman of tho M to Z Public Petitions Committee, which is hearing tho evidence. Mr. McDonald was interrogating Mr. E. E. Vailo, one of the petitioners at tho time.

Mr. McDonald contended that Mr. Vaile was wrong in asserting that two Royal Commissions and two Parliamentary committees had unanimously found that the line should go as far as Reporoa. Mr. McDunald quoted from the summarised findings of the 1922 commission in an endeavour to show that Mr. Vaile's statement was incorrect.

Mr. Vailo argued that tho chairman had not quoted sufficiently fully from tho report. " Will Not Allow Dictation."

A sharp exchange followed, during which Mr. McDonald declared: " I will not allow Mr. Vailo or anyone olse to dictate to me as to how 1 am going to run this committeo."

Mr. Vailo promptly denied that such was his intention. He added that his statement was supported by tho commission's report and ho desired to prove'his words.

Eventually it was decided that Mr. Vaile should havo a later opportunity to make his point. The chairman then turned his attention to a written offer made by Mr. Vaile and handed in by him at the outset of the day's proceedings. The offer read: — " Should the prayer of the RotoruaTaupo Railway League's petition be granted, I am nevertheless prepared at any time within six months of this date (September 1) .to sell to the Government my estate at Waiotapu, known as Broadlands, and comprising about 10,000 acres, at its present value, to be fixed, if we cannot agree, by an assessment Court as if the land were taken compulsorily. Improvements effected after this dato and manuring done, also crops growing and harvested to bo added to the price. Tern;s of sale, 20 per cent. • deposit and the balance in three months when possession is to be given and taken. This offer is not to interfere with any right to sell to any other buyer until such time as the Government has actually bought and paid the deposit; Discussion on the Offer. " I submit to you that this is a worthless offer," said Mr. McDonald to Mr. Vailo. Mr. McDonald added that the Government was constantly receiving similar offers from all parts of the country. He further submitted it was an attempt on Mr. Vaile's part to induce the Government to construct the railway. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle, a member of the committee, said tho offer showed that Mr. Vailo was willing to lose the difference between the present value and the value that would accrue if the railway went through. Mr. Vailo: I am prepared to stand the loss for the benefit of the district. Mr. McDonald : I contend you are asking for every particle of valuo. I do not see why you should give your opinion," said Mr. Kylo to Mr. McDonald. "If this is going to end in a wrangle—" The Right to Cross-Examine. Mr. McDonald: It is not going to end in a wrangle, but I want the right to j c-oss-examine the witness. Mr. F. Lye, another member of the committee and like Mr. McDonald associated with the United Party, then rose. " I put it to you that you have received your answer," he sain to the chairman, " and you should not make any comment on it. I rise in a spirit of friendliness, but I think it is not a fair thing to comment on the evidence of a witness. A protest was also voiced by Mr. R. Semple, another member of tho committee. " I think you have set a bad example," he said to Mr. McDonald. " You should not show any political feeling or prejudice." Mr. McDonald: There is none whatever.

Mr. Semple: You have been demonstrating political bias. " I resent your remark," retorted Mr. McDonald. "It is my bounden duty to cross-examine the witness on his evidence so that wo can get at all the points. It does not matter one iota to me whether the lino goes through or not." Mr. A. M. Samuel's Opinion.

The timo for the adjournment was approaching when Mr. A. M. Samuel, a member of the committee, remarked that as a certain amount of bias had been shown on the committee he thought Mr. Vaile should make a list of persons and papers that would enable him to have the fullest opportunity to prove his statements, even if it meant calling a Minister or tho general manager of railways. " In my opinion this inquiry is not being carried along on strictly impartial committee lines," said Mr. Samuel, who suggested that any comments or opinions on tho evidence tendered should be left until the committee was deliberating privately. Mr. Samuel thought bias had been shown particularly by the chairman and another member of the committee.

"It is wrong to say there has been bias," said Mr. T. Makitanara, a member of tho committee, rising to his feet. "You must not abuse your positions as members of the committee," said Mr. Samuel, in repeating his remarks that two members had shown bias.

"What about yourself?" angrily asked Mr. Makitanara. The chairman had to call to Mr. Makitanara to resume his seat.

Mr. Lyo said ho had riot noticed any bias. He had certainly drawn attention to the fact that comment was being made on answers to questions, as he did not think the inquiry should bo unnecessarily prolonged. Comment By Mr. Semple.

"I thought you were showing feeling," •said Mr. Semple to tho chairman. "I cannot be accused of belonging either to the party which started the railway or the party which stopped it. I am concerned only with tho settlement possibilities of the area. Ido not like to hear suggestions made by you or by any other member that any witness has got an ulterior motive."

Mr. McDonald: That has never been suggested. "Yes it has," said Mr. Semple. "It has been suggested that Mr. Vaile has property arid wants to enrich himsolf at the expense of the nation. I want to say you insinuated that that gentleman bad something up his sleeve, that ho wanted to unload something on to tho State. I do not like that sort of thing." "I had only one object, to get at the bottom of this railway," said Mr. McDonald. "Because I happened to put further questions to elucidato the witness' meaning it is suggested I am biassed. I am here to. cross-e.xamino without interruption from other members of tho committee, and surely I am entitled to show on his own evidence whother there is any self-interest."

Finally Mr. McDonald said Mr. Vailo could have the fullest opportunity of proving his statements. Tho committee would consider the question of allowing porsons and papers to be called for. The committee then adjourned.