WESTPORT CHARGES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144149, 19 July 1913, Page 3

WESTPORT CHARGES.

THE SELECT COMMITTEE. PROPOSAL WITHDRAWN. BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. WELLINGTON, July 18. The" question, of the much-discussed appointments to tho Westport Harbour Board agtin figured in the House this afternoon. „ „ , , Mr. R. Scott (Otago Central) asked that ho be allowed to move that Us name he withdrawn from the committee,, appointed to inquire into: the circumstances of the appointment of Messrs. Gillen and Simpson to the. board and that the name of the Hon. Ri M’Kenzie tie substituted for it, Mr. G..-W. Russell (Avon) asked Mr. Scott to state his reasons for making such a proposal. Mr. Scott said. tho reason was that the Hon. R. M’Kenzie was member for the district aud he strongly desired "to be op the committee. _ Mr.' G. Witty (Riccarton) said the whole committee should be re-cast: in order that it might consist .of members who had not already taken sides on the question. Mr. T. H. Davcy (Christchurch East) asked the Minister whether he did not think it a pretty, hot proposition to ask. that Mr. Scott go off the committee and that Mr. MTyenzio, a personal friend of Mr. Simpson should go on in his place., ' ■ Mr. H. Atmqro (Nelson) said Mr. M’Kenzie was a strong personal friend of Mr. Simpson. It was proposed to put a particularly strong friend of Mr. Simpson on. tho, committee instead of •Mr. Scott, who would presumably have been impartial. He : thought. the ..Gov-' > eminent would bo wiser to withdraw the proposal. The Hon. W. F.: Massey said the proposal did not como from tho Government. ' : I Tbo Hon; F. M. IS. Fisher suggested that Mr. Scott withdraw his motion. It had been submitted at the instance of tho member for Motueka, who as member for the district was anxious to; be a member of the, committee. He (Mr. Fisher) had thereupon agreed that a, member of the committee from the Government side of ■ the House should withdraw and make room for Mr. M'Kcnzie. . Mr. Scott withdrew his motion and the matter dropped. Mr. MTvenzie was not in the House during the discussion.