Mr Hine's Crusade.

Patea Mail, Volume XXXII, 30 November 1910, Page 2

Mr Hine's Crusade.

Those who expected to see the Government convicted of improper dealings in connection with State land purchases, will probably be disap. pointed, and it must be a matter for general satisfaction to know that the Hine inquiry proved to be rather a good advertisement for the Government than otherwise. Incidentally, the inquiry revealed several breaches of a parliamentary rule laid down in 1886, in which the House expressed the opinion “ that members of the Legislature should uot act as agents in negotiations in which the Government is directly or indirectly a party, either as a buyer or a seller.” The mere fact of this rale having been repeatedly broken forcibly suggests that it should be either withdrawn or enforced, and Mr Hine has done use* ful work in directing public attention to the matter. Although there is no law to prevent it, the propriety of a member of Parliament acting on behalf of a vendor, and receiving a commission whilst negotiating the sale of an estate to the Crown, may well be questioned, and as there is always a possibility of such practices become ing liable to abuse, they should be prohibited by law, as the committee of j inquiry recommends. Those who have any lingering doubts regarding the fairness of the inquiry will probably feel reassured on learning that one of the most consistent Opposition members, Mr VV. Fraser, moved the adoption of the supplemontary report expressing the committee’s deep appreciation of the services rendered by the chairman — Mr J, A. Hanan, who has always been a staunch supporter of the present Government.