MR HINE'S CHARGES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2950, 28 September 1910, Page 52

MR HINE'S CHARGES.

A HELPLESS COMMITTEE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, September 26. Although the Prime Minister intends to ask Parliament to refer Mr Hine'-s charges against certain members and exmembers of the Legislature to the Land Committee, it is not quite clear that that committee will be able to clear up the matter. Acting on the assumption that the Lands Committee might be influenced by party considerations, Mr Hine will refuse, even if the Prime Minister's motion is carried, to submit the names of the persons he accuses or to give evidence. His decision is unanimously endorsed by the Opposition. " I think Mr Hine would be very foolish to go before a committee consisting of seven Government supporters and three Oppositionists on a question which is sure to resolve itself into a purely party matter," Mr Massey remarked to a press representative. "Mr Hine has done the fair and straightforward thinj, in offering to submit his charges to a commission consisting of two judges of the Supreme Court, and if he is not able ■to prove his charges he will take the consequences and pay. all expenses. Tffat is surely a fair position to take up. 1 have seen one or two of these inquiries by parliamentary committees, and 1 -have never seen anything satisfactory come from such an inquiry where party interests were likely to be affected one wa\ or another.'' If Mr Hine refuses to give evidence before the committee h-° may be reported to the House, and the House by ;> majority vote may line him. There are. however, very few precedents for such a course of action. The House has no other means of compelling a member to give evidence before a committee.