MR HINE'S CHARGES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14274, 13 August 1910, Page 5

MR HINE'S CHARGES.

NO NAMES GIVEN. In response to a challenge bv Mr Ti E. Taylor in tlie House on Wednesday, regarding his statements that MP** - had accepted commissions on sales of land to the Slate, Mr Hine said lie would make a statement in the matter, which would no / doubt astonish the House and the " country. It ras not a pergonal matter with him. but with the information in his possession he felt he had ft public duty to perform, and he would perform it. He was acting on public grounds, and on public grounds alone. He quoted May to show thnt severe pains and penalties had bseu imposed upon ■ members in England for offering and receiving bribes. One member was expelled for receiving money for work done in the House; others had been fined in large sums. In regard to procedure, he said it was not necessary at that juncture to give the names. *Mr T. E. Taylor, when lie made his charges in regard to the police force m 1897 or 1898. had said he would not give names. Mr Arnold also last year, in connection ' with his police charges, did not giv» names, but referred to the oases bv numbers. If in the cases he (Mr Rinsj was referring to an enquiry was graii!«d the men charged with receiving monaja would have to come before the! Commission. : "

Mr Hine then mentioned fVnir c&S&s, by numbers, as published on. Thursday, and said that in hi"= opinion -he was fully justified in making these statements, as the men at the time. To his mind, whether a man was a land agent or not he-" iras & member of that House he should not take such commissions.

Tlie Prime Minister said-hi considered that if Mr Hine was not prep»±»d to state the names publiclv or,to ifa& Ministry, the country would disbelief him.

. r Jlr „]- E. Tnvlor pointed onfj. fea£ -Mr Hme would be privileged •if fa* I7.ire the iiamK!. If he (Mr Tavlari were in Mr HineV place be would" oat with them like a shot. That" would te Jmcause he would be urepared ti> fiaht them.

Mr Hme'e statement (says a "Prta*" sneeial') was made with tlie * pf the H<-iise. and incT«btr<! liet«atd - intently. There was n ftill Hou«e At the nnnnlnsion of the : nr-,lp n t. trooped out into the lohhv, frt>m'wfi.VK The buzz of oa»»er»»tidn <seU he heard.