THE HINE INQUIRY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10598, 29 October 1910, Page 1

THE HINE INQUIRY.

BRRACH OF PRIVILEGE. THE TWO HOUSES IN CONFLICT. By Telegraph. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, October 28. The resolution of the Legislative Council that a breach of privilege had been created by Mr time's charges against the Hon. T. Kennedy Macdonakl was the subject of a motion by the Prime Minister, in the House' of Repiesentatives to-day. Sir Joseph Ward moved that this House-admits that a breach of privilege has been committed by an hon. member of this House bringing a. charge against a member of the Legislative Council, but such breach of privilege was committed by inadvertence, such charge having been made before a Select Committee of this House and after reference to the House, w'as referred to the Legislative-Council. Opposition members, with loud cries of "No," indicated their dissent from the admission that a breach of privilege had been committed, and Sir Joseph Ward said that he would take the Speaker's ruling on the point. The Hon. A. R. Guinness (Speaker) ruled that it was a- breach of privilege for any member of the House to make charges against a member of "another place." Mr Massey asked if the Prime Minister would let the matter stand over so that the authorities could be.consulted. It -might have been a technical breach, he conceded.

Sir Joseph Ward agreed to let the motion stand over and the House, without discussion, granted leave to Mr Hine to attend as a witness before a Committee of the Legislative Council at 8 p.m. on Monday. It was decided at a later stage to djscuss the Premier's motion, on 'next'sitting day.