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1888. NEW ZEALAND.

PRIVILEGE COMMITTEE (REPORT OF), TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE.

Report brought up 2nd August, 1888, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the Souse of Representatives. Wednesday, the 18th Day of July, 1888. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed to search for precedents, and report to the House, in relation to the question of privilege raised as to the placing by command on the table of the House a letter written by the Chief Judge, Native Land Court, addressed to tho Native Minister, and commenting on words uttered by a member oE the House in debate ; the Committee to consist of Mr. Speaker, the Hon. Mr. Ballance, the Hon. Sir J. Hall, the Hon. Mr. Hislop, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Samuel, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Mr. Seymour, and the mover; with power to call for persons and papers ; to report within a week ; three to be a quorum."—(Mr. Walker.)

Wednesday, the 25th Day of July, 18S8. Ordered, " That the Privilege Committee have the time extended for one week in which to bring up their report." —(Mr. Walkeb.)

EEPOET. The Select Committee appointed on the 18th July, " to search for precedents and report to the House in relation to the question of privilege as to the placing by command on the table of the House a letter written by the Chief Judge, Native Land Court, addressed to the Native Minister, and commenting on words uttered by a member of the House in debate," have the honour to report as follows : — That, in a debate in the House on the question of adjournment of the House, the honourable member for Franklin South made certain allegations affecting the character of the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, and his fitness for the official position occupied by him. That the Hon. the Native Minister caused the attention of the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court to be drawn to the allegations of the honourable member for Franklin South, as reported in Hansard, and requested that an explanation in reference thereto should be made to him. That the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court accordingly forwarded to the Hon. the Native Minister a letter, quoting from the speech of the honourable member for Franklin South, as reported in Hansard, and making observations on the allegations of facts contained in that speech. That the Hon. the Native Minister, on receiving such letter, forwarded it to His Excellency the Governor, with a recommendation that it should be presented to the House; and such recommendation was approved by His Excellency. That the Hon. the Native Minister stated in the House that he had the honour to present, by command of His Excellency, a letter from the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court in reference to certain allegations reported in Hansard of the 15th June, 1888, and moved that the same do lie on the table of the House, and be printed. That the question was put from the chair, and it was ordered, without discussion, that the paper presented by the Hon. the Native Minister do lie on the table of the House and be printed. That the letter referred to, now printed and circulated as G.-la, is couched in respectful terms, and is confined to allegations of facts in contradiction of those contained in the speech of the honourable member for Franklin South, as reported in Hansard. That your Committee have diligently searched for precedents, but can find none of recent date, or applicable to the circumstances of the New Zealand Legislature, which in any degree assist them in coming to a decision upon the question submitted to them. Seeing, therefore, that at the time of the presentation of the paper there was no question before the House having any reference to the subject thereof, and that what has been done cannot have been done with a view to influence a decision of the House, your Committee recommend that no further action should be taken in the matter. G. Maurice O'Robke, 2nd August, 1888. Chairman.

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