FINDING A WAY OUT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8874, 7 November 1907, Page 5

FINDING A WAY OUT.

THE MEIKLE ACQUITTAL BILL. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. By Telegraph—Parlimentary Correspondent. WELLINGTON, Wednesday.' "There are more ways of killing a dog than choking it with melted butter," says an old proverb, and the fact is demonstrated by the attitude of the Premier in regard to the Meikle Acquittal Bill. On Tuesday last when he quietly permitted his supporters to block the bill by the erection of a stonewall, he stated at the close of a wasted sitting that he would make a statement the next day as to his intentions regarding the measure. There were not a few members who looked forward to a "back-down" "ori the part of the Premier, and their expectation was strengthened by what the leader of the House stated to-day. Sir Joseph was not ready with the. promised explanation, but he explained why the explanation could not be given. He had just discovered, after all these days of discussion of the bill, that he had overlooked a very important matter, viz., that the Chief Justice had been written to in August last regarding the proposed legislation on the case, and he now found it necessary before deciding what course i should be adopted, to confer with Sir Robert Stout. The Chief Justice had, said the Premier, written intimating that he had brought the matter before the judges, who w=;re unanimously of opinion that, seeing the question of appeals in criminal cases vvaa being legislated upon in Great j Britain it would be wise to defer action until the full text of the Eng- ' lish measure was received. The judges had, therefore, suggested that no legislation should be passed at present. Sir Joseph told the House that he simply wanted to say that the matter had been referred to the judges, as some members had urged should be done in view of all the circumstances surrounding the casa. He, therefore,, desired to confer with the Chief Justice, and would then make an announcement to the House. There is little doubt in the minds of many members that this is a prelude to the shelving of the bill. Whether they are right or wrong will probably be seen to-morrow.