PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10573, 30 September 1910, Page 1

PARLIAMENT.

(Per Press Association.) '^ "Wellington - , September 30. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30. —lnalienable Annuities T3ill. — The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Inalienable Annuities Bill, which, he said, was a small measure having a wide field of usefulness. It enabled a father to make provision for a son or daughter or children to make provision for their parents up to C2 a week, and there wa.s no possibility of the annuities being affected by bankruptcy, coercion, or roguery. He believed the Bill would be widelv availed of. A short discussion followed, in which the proposal generally was approved, and the Bill was read a second time. The Council rose. HOUSE OF PEPEESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. —Mr Tline's Charges.— Sir Joseph Ward moved his resolution, hi which he had previously given notice, to refer Mr Mine's charges in connection with members of Parliament and laud purchase transactions to the Lauds Committee. He would ask leave to amend the motion with a view of referring the matter-to it select committee consisting of Messrs Allen, Buchanan. Eraser. Graham. Hanan. Massey. Myers. Millar, Peed, and the mover. The present action was necessary as Mr 1-line declined to give the names of members implicated. The committee would have to be able to discover if there was any foundation for the charges. In answer to a point of order raised bv Mr Allen, the Speaker ruled that the motion could not lie altered without the unanimous consent of the House. Sir Joseph Ward, continuing, said he had written to the first, second, and the present Chairmen of the Land Purchase Board, asking if any members of Parliament had acted as agents in connection with the sale of an estate, and if any influence had been brought to hear iiv aitv member of the Government in.- Parliament in the matter of estates purchased by the Government in the direction of inducing -them to arrive at- anv decision other than what was riidit ami proper. The replies in each case were in the negative. He said the Board had carried out its duties without fault, and speaking generally he did not believe one single mistake had been made in connection with the purchase of estates by the Government,

allhouuh over five million pounds worth or estates - had been acquired. They had a iiidit to know all the circumstances connected with the charges made by Mr Mine, and also those of

any similar oases. He resented the imputation that- members of the Land Committee were not honest men, -and asked leave to move the motion as amended. Mr Hine said if there were true charges against any member of tlie House, it' v,-ns strange that a committee of the House should lie the tribunal. He moved as an amendment that the final clause of the motion he altered to read as follows : "And any allegations of a similar nature against members of Parliament that may be brought before them ho referred to two Supreme Court .lodges for investigation and report, the'same to have power to eall for persons and papers, and to examine _sueh ivitiies.se> .-■- thev deem necessary." Mr Hardy seconded the amendment..

Mr Miliar moved the prior amendment piovidinu: for the special eonimittee proposed l.v Sir .Tosepli Ward. }lr Fisher moved to amend the original motion by adding: ''Such alhgations sluil! be invest igatod_ by two .indues, of the Supreme Court."

Sir .Joseph Ward pointed, nut ihat this would narrow the inquiry down to the four charges preferred by Mr Tline. Mr Malcolm An-w attention to the fact that the Government members were in a majority on the proposed Committee in. proportion of six to four, which fact alone made it an undesirable one. Parliament had a duty to the country, which would attach no value in the committee's decision. Mr Hnffi hoped the Premier had the desirability of setting up an independent committee, which would have the confidence of the House and the entintrv. >

'Mr Ilorries pointed out that Mr Hine made no ehariros of bribery or corruption, but simply-alleged.that members received commission, ft' was not even said that they received public money. Mr Millar said it had always been the practice to refer a charge against a member of Parliament to a select committee.

•Mr Allen contended that it was perfectly fair to each that the matter be referred to Supreme Court Judges. The discussion was carried on by Messrs 'Taylor (Christchurch), Hanan, and Wright. The House adjourned at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. The debate on Sir Joseph Ward's motion and amendment thereto was resumed. The speakers mainly devoted themselves to upholding on the one hand the proposed committee and on the other denouncing it, and asking for the appointment of judges. Mr Frnser, in referring to the silence of Mr Massey, said this was due to a sore throat. He mentioned this to prevent a misunderstanding. He declared that the public would look with sus- j picion on a committee composed of a majority of Government supporters, and therefore he appealed for an independent tribunal. He disclaimed any reflection on members of the committee. Mr T. Mackenzie characterised Mr Fraser's disclaimer as effrontery, after practically saying the committee was not to be trusted.' Even if the charges were proved, the Government, lie held, could not be shown to be responsible, and if this was so, why should the Opposition imply- that the Government was on. trial'and was endeavoring to shield itself by the proposed committee. He denied that any member of the Board could have the finger of suspicion pointed at him. If a select committee could not be trusted to carry on the investigation, then the sooner Parliamentary institutions were abolished the better. Mr Hine said the Opposition took exception to the select committee conducting the inquiry owing to the strong partv feeling shown on the matter. Sir Joseph Ward quoted from Mr Hine's speech containing the charges, in which it was, he said, an attempt to connect the Government with the same. Allegations of Tammanyism had been made, and if the ; Government were to vield to the demand of Mr Hine for a commission before the names were disclosed it would create a very bad precedent for the future. If the matter were referred to Judges it was possible Mr Hine might change his mind, and refuse to give the names. Nine-tentljs of the estates bought by the Land Purchase Board were acquired from the Government's strongest political opponents. He denounced the attemptsto injure the Government by vague

Sfeneralisntions- of the kind indulged in Hine. Whatever was brought .Jjefi&re the. Committee as evidence 'irauld he printed. On Mr fisher's amendment being put it was rejected by 42 to 29. Mr It. M'Kenzie moved to amend the original motion, to 'the effect that the special committee b e composed of Messrs Allen, Buchanan, Fraser, Graham, Hanan. Massoy, Myers; Millar, Reed, and Ward, five to form a quorum. ' In speaking to his amendment Mr M'Kenzio said if Mr Hine endeavored to shirk his responsibilities it would lie necessary for the House to deal with him. Mr Lang said had the party spirit been kept out of the debate, tile mattor could have been settled in. a few minutes. If, as Ministers stated, the charges had been brought forward to blacken the administratum, -why were two Minister's appointed B-.t!re..c:ommit-tee? IpC •--.'■' The motion was wifiplTed by Sir Joseph Ward substitutinjE.'Crown lands for lands purchased by Sie Land Purchase Hoard. ? Mr Anderson moved that the Press be admitted during the taking of evidence. Sir Joseph Ward opposed on the ground that it was an attempt by the Opposition to dictate the procedure. On a division Mr M'Kenzio's amendment was carried by 3S votes to 30. Replying to Mr Russell the Speaker said the Press would be entitled to comment on the reports, of the proceedings. | On tiie motion of Mr Po<>le it was decided that, the Press be admitted while the committee 'was taking evidence, hutnot while the committee was engaged in deliberations. The motion, as amended, providing I'nr a special committee composed of tlif members already named, to report within a month, was then put, and agreed to on the voices. —Defence Bill.— The House went into Committee on the Defence Bill. On the motion of the Minister clause 4 was amended to allow iff regulations being made under the principal Act declaring persons to be exempt from the provisions of the Act. Mr Russell moved to amend clause 5 by reducing the age at which the Territorials be drafted into the reserve from 2o to 21 years. Sir .Josenh Ward pointed out that that was not. the proper time for Mr Russell to move his amendment. The clause passed. it was moved that clause C. amending section 31 of the principal Act lie deleted, the object being the same .is r\!r Russell's amendment. Mr Taylor (C'hristchurch) contended against imposing 2o years as the limit for compulsory training before it had been shown by experience that the 2! years 7 limit provided by the Act last year was n failure. If Sir Joseph Ward was a private member he would advocate the 21 years' system himself. Mr Myers favored the 25 years' limit. Mr Russell laid stress on the hardships imposed on the sous of poor men. who have to devote to the service of the State time that ought to be spent on education. Mr Hardy believed service to be a good thing for boys, who should be proud to serve the State. Mr Witty said he would fight the clause to the end. Mr Hogg was of opinion that the money spent on militarism would be better spent on roads and bridges. « The debate was continued bv Messrs M-Laron and Taylor. On a division the amendment was negatived bv 41 to 22. After the Telegraph Office closed, Mr Russell moved to amend clause (3 by substituting 21 for 2-3 years. On a division the amendment was negatived by 3!) to 22, and the Premier's amendment was agreed to. The new clause proposed by the Minister providing for court-martial in place of a board of appeal was inserted, with an addition proposed .by Mr T. Taylor that inquiries should bo open to the press. On the motion of Mr Craigio it was decided to exclude liquor from places where men are trained, including drill sheds. The Bill was reported, and the House rose at 2.35 a.m.