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12. Please aswer my question ?—A mere "Yes" or "No" would not be an answer to the question. I joined the Parliamentary Eeporting Staff nearly twenty-five years ago on the distinct understanding that it should not interefere with the pursuit of my journalistic profession. The pursuit of that profession I have continued from that period to the present time. 13. Sir M. O'Borke.] You joined the Hansard staff on that distinct understanding?— Yes; that it was not to interfere with my journalistic profession so long as the duties of my position were performed. 14. Mr. Fisher.] I repeat my question, that you still stand by the terms of your contract, and ignore the report of the Committee given in 1899 ?—I still stand by the terms of my contract, and contend that it would be unwise for me to surrender my legal and equitable rights under that contract. 15. That is your answer? —That is my answer. 16. Then the report of the Committee dated the 14th September, 1899, carries with it no significance whatever to you? —None whatever, so far as the pursuit of my journalistic profession is concerned. 17. The Chairman.] That is all we desire to know, unless you wish to make a further statement? —As these pamphlets have been referred to the Committee, I wish to say distinctly that, in a matter of this kind, where my conscience and principles are involved, I do not withdraw onethousandth part of one inch from the position I have taken up in this matter. With regard to the Transvaal War, and my condemnation of that war, and the sending of the contingents to assist in that war, I do not withdraw one-thousandth part of an inch from the position I have taken up in the pamphlets which have been submitted to the Committee. 18. Do you wish to add anything to that ?—Threats of dismissal have been held out to me, but I wish to say that the threat of dismissal has no terrors for me, holding the opinions and convictions that I do. 19. Sir M. O'Borke.] Who could threaten you with dismissal? —Mr. Seddon has threatened me with dismissal. 20. In his letters ?—ln his communications to the Dunedin Star. 21. Mr. Carncross.] Mr. Grey has laid before us certain opinions which he holds with regard to the war. We have nothing whatever to do with the war, and, in my opinion, he has a right to hold whatever opinions he likes with regard to it ?—I do not wish this inquiry to be put off on a side issue—and an attempt is being made to do that. lam brought here because of my writings upon the Transvaal War. That is the Order of Eeference. 22. Mr. Fisher (through the Chairman).] Mr. Grey was aware, of course, that the report of the Committee of last year was laid upon the table : Am I right or wrong in assuming that Mr. Grey was aware of the contents of the report at the time ?—Oh, yes. I admit a knowledge of the contents of the report; but if the report of a Committee is to ride roughshod through a written contract, then I do not know where it would stop.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oo.

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