RIGHT OF COMMENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 14, 27 October 1932, Page 6

RIGHT OF COMMENT

MR McINTOSH’S ADDENDUM. PROPOSED ACTION CONDEMNED. NOT IN PUBLIC INTEREST. COMMERCIAL MEN’S VIEWS. (Per Press Association). DUNEDIN, This Day. The annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, which opened here to-day, went into committee to consider the attitude taken up by Parliament with respect to the action of Mr A. Mclntosh, a member of the National Expenditure Commission, who presented an addendum to the Commission’s report, in which he made certain allegations against members of Parliament. The following resolution was adopted: “ That this conference unanimously protests against the action proposed to be taken against a member of the National Expenditure Commission, the protest being on the following grounds: “(1) That the Commission was appointed by the representative of 1 his Majesty the King for the express purpose of reviewing and reporting upon public expenditure in all its aspects, and that the remarks published were undoubtedly within the terms of reference ;

“(2) That in the opinion of this conference it is of the utmost importance, in the public interest, that where matters are referred to a Royal Commission each member of such Commission should be free to express himself freely and frankly according to the evidence brought before the Commission; “(3) That if action is taken it will be impossible to get men of the right stamp to undertake similar \Vork in the public interest; “(4) That if criticism of Parliament is to be a breach of privilege, one of the fundamental principles of British liberty will be isolated; “(5) That it is also essential in the public interest that the newspapers should he free to express criticism of Parliamentary action when necessary. ’