"TENDER FEELINGS."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 197, 21 August 1929, Page 8

"TENDER FEELINGS."

M.P.'S INDIGNANT. REPORTING OF SPEECHES. PREMIER WOULDN'T READ MR. HARRIS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.; WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The tender feelings of legislators regarding reporting of their speeches were recently roused through the failurt of a section of the Press to give botl sides in the taxation arguments. Theii complaints were voiced in an urgent question to the Prime Minister to-daj from Mr. H. E. Holland, leader of the Labour party. He asked whether, ir view of the marked discrimination shown by certain newspapers in the matter of reporting speeches from certain sections of the House, he would take steps to secure fair and impartial reporting. Mr. Holland went on tc explain that he was referring particularly to the Parliamentary reports oi the Wellington "Dominion" and to some extent on the part of the Auckland "Herald." Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) : And the "Auckland Star." Mr. Holland: Yes, and to a lesser extent the "Auckland Star." The "Christchurch Star" was a little more fair. Last week the speech of the member for mid-Canterbury was reported almost in full, while that of the member for Lyttelton in reply was practically suppressed. The speech of the member for Stratford was extensively reported, but Labour members who replied to him were cut down to a minimum. Another instance occurred early in the session, when Mr. Jones was extensively reported, while the speech of the Minister of Education was "condensed down to suppression point." Mr. Holland concluded by asking if the Prime Minister would consult with Mr. Speaker with a view to making provision for what he desired. "I have noticed a difference in reporting," replied Sir Joseph Ward. "And I think the House generally noticed that a speech by Mr. Jones—" Mr. Nash (Palinerston North) : Good stuff! Sir Joseph: It was one of the most unfair speeches I have ever listened to. I noticed the speech of the member fop Lyttelton—a capital speech (Reform laughter) and a complete answer to the member for mid-Canterbury on every material point he raise-l. Mr. Speaker intervened to indicate that the Prime Minister was straying somewhat from the limits of a reply to a question. Sir Joseph smilingly accepted the correction, and repeated that he had noticed a difference in the reporting of different members, but he did not know in what way that difficulty could be met. Members would take the opportunity of putting their views on record and endeavour to educate the public regarding the unfairness which had been distinctly shown when the speeches on one side were fully reported while the replies to them were suppressed, and 110 answer published to the criticism. It waa absolutely unfair. Mr. Harris (Waitemata): My speech was not reported at all in the "Auckland Star." (Laughter.) Sir Joseph: I don't think anvone would report it, and if they did I would not read it. (Renewed laughter.) But it is obviously unfair that only one set of arguments in the financial debate should be reported. (Opposition laughter.) "I can quite understand the laughing chorus," added Sir Joseph indignantly. Mr. Barnard (Napier) : The cracking of thorns. ° Sir Joseph: If there is any way in which we can obviate the great discrepancy in reporting it will be most cheerfully done.