BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 236, 2 October 1920, Page 11

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

INFORMATION THAT LEAKED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON", 'Friday. More light was thrown this afternoon on the allegation that evidence that had been given before the Labour Bills Committee had become public in contravention of the Standing Orders. The chairman of committee, Mr. Tjuke, raised the question again by stating that the secretary of the Employers' Federation, Mr. iPryor, absolutely denied that he had obtained a copy of the evidence. He bad made use of notes that he had personally taken. Mr. Howard prefaced his reply -with a statement that he had been decidedly misrepresented, as he had taken particular care not to charge Mr. Pryor, but it wae interesting to have the fact revealed that he was responsible. What 'he had in mind was a meeting of the Conciliation Council, when the employers' secretary, Mr. Prime, stated he had Mr. McKean's evidence g.lven before the Labour Bills Committee. Mr. McKean was the 'first or second witness examined on a bill which was still before the committee. The Conciliation Council, said Mr. Howart, went on to Napier, and en route, at Wanganui, a Mr. Wiggs had made the same admission. This was surely evidence enough. Mr. Speaker quoted standing Order u ?37, showng that where evidence was disclosed without permission a breach of privilege wae entailed. At this stage the matter dropped, Mr. Howard not troubling to test the feeling of the House on the breach.