THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTEE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 15120, 14 August 1913, Page 9

THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTEE.

ON WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD. OBJECTION TO~APrOINTMENT. (From Our Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 13. The Parliamentary Committee set up to inquire into the appointment of Mr William Ryan Simpson, as a Government nominee to the Westport Harbour Board, was resumed this morning. Mr Movers represented Mr Simpson. Correspondence was read from the Under-Secretary of Justice, that between the years 1907 and 1912 two convictions wero recorded against Simpson at Westport and five at Karamea. After some other witnesses, Simpson was called. He stated that one of the convictions was for holding a raffle which was held by two young fellows who raffled a horse and gig. He was not concerned it it. A conviction for selling liquor on a Sunday was for allowing heer to bo given to a party who was dining at tho hotel and ho charged Is 6d for the meal inclusive of beer. Ho did not apply for renewal of license in 1912 because he could see there was conspiracy working against him, He was born in the hotel, which was established 1876. and his people and himself had been in possession t : ll last year. Mr Ailport, Secretary for Marine, said tho Department did not make any inquiries as to character of persons nominated for appointment to Harbour Boards. Tho Minister recommended proposed appointees to the Department which prepared a recommendation for the Governor, who appointed the persons recommended by tho Minister. Tho whole thing was in tho hands of the Minister. Mr F. F. Munro, chairman Westport Harbour Board, said he knew of some of Simpson's convictions, but had hoard no comment as to the propriety of appointing a man W-th such records. It was a moot point whether a man with co.wiotons should stand for public positions. He knew that Mr Simpson was respected and esteemed .by his fellow residents in his district. ' ■ The Minister of Marine, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, examined by Mr Atmon, M.P., for Nelson, said the opinion expressed by him in tho House, that if the charges against Mr Simpson were correct, ho would not regard him as a proper person to remain on the. board, had been modified since he had heard tho nature of tho charges. He now thought the appointment a proper one J and would not recommend the Government to introduce .special legislation to remove him. He had made a general inquiry regarding Mr Simpson, while at Karamea, but had not thought it necessary to make inquiry from tho police. That never had been done regarding appointees to harbour boards, and never would be done. If the appointment was now to be made over again, probably Mr Simpson would not bo appointed, but lie Mould not take any stoos to remove, him. Ho admitted tho validity of the convictions agains Mr Simpson, but denied that ho knew anything about them i at the. time of tho aonointment. To Mr Isitt:" Thought it was the duty of the. Minister in conserve the high character of public appointments, hut he did not airroo that convictions, irrespective of the circumstances, should hold a man down all his life. To Mr Colvin : Mr Simpson was recom-

mended by the Karamea Chamber of Commerce. He thought that good enough on which to appoint him. He considered Karamea entitled to a representative. To Mr Statham ■. Heard no suggestion of charges against Mr Simpson while at Karamea. No protest had been received against the appointment from tho West Coast. The appointments made by him were necessary, because tho boaxd was tied up bv a deadlock. The steps taken by'him were both justified and legal, and had never been questioned. Mr Leo: The aopointrnoiits wore not made to allow Mr Munro to become chairman. Press comments in the district were favourable to t!ie appointments, and he did not t'nnk Mi- Attnore was justified in assuming that he know Mr Simpson's character until he had denied the fact. To Mr Atmore: Tho Government nominees on the Hoard did not ronreEeut, the Minis! rv. hut tV Si -if -Is a whole. Ho still'thought the Government should not. inquire into the char-a-ter ot its nominee,-.. Mr A micro, in giving evidence, said ho made h:s statement. in tho Horse became of blatant assertions of the al.eprd Reform Party that thev never made nmroper appointments, lie hold that ail men appointed to pubic positions suoiiid have a clean record. The conviction* against Mr Simpson ostab.ished tho tart that his wa.-, not a clean record. .. Ho s\ s - At morel iirsf heard _ r .t Silicon's character from -UotuoKa. He had not ihou-ht it necessary to inform the Minister of his character, because ho d-d not know that it was the same man who hid been appointed. So soon as he know it was the same man he thought it timo to m;:ke a protest. . To Mr Bradnoy: Ho now accepted the Minister's statement that he did not-know of the-convictions when he made the appointment, but he should hard: known. . To Mr Stathan : His object in mov:ng_ tlio charges was to show that the Iteiorm -Government had made an improper appointment. To the- Chairman: Sliil thought the appoinfnoni was to tho eternal disgrace of the Government, because thev ceu'd hav<- known tho eharactor o> 111-• appointee. lie did not value the. opinion of a per-on who said a person y.'.th seven convictions was a fit a- d ■proper pcrsroi I<> s't o:i a public board. If ho had known when he rpoko in the House win I ho knew i.o.v, he would not have modi'i.od -Ids spoo-h. To Mr Myers: Relied on the public sense of rectitude, as exhibiting disgust at the appointment of Mr Simpson. I)'-.;.us!: heel been CN-prcs-ed to him by vera! people. Ho de-elnicd to give iho names of such nersor.s. He. was not a ware that Mr Sinuison comp'a:ue<l of Had made no inqirrios as to the circumstances atiet'.din?: the conviction before he =poke in the House. _ The opa-iion (i" poor-'o in th? district did not affect his opinion of Mr Simpson. The ( onvietioiis stand. ; Tho Committee then deliberated.