NO FURTHER ACTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1932, Page 13

NO FURTHER ACTION.

PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE. ARTICLE IN NEWSPAPER. EXPLANATION BY EDITOR. (By Telegrapfa.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. The Committee of Privilege, which reported to the House of Representatives yesterday on a leading article published in the Wellington "Dominion" oil October 6, entitled "Commission and Politicians," said that it was its opinion that the article constituted a breach of privilege, more particularly certain paragraphs, but the editor, Mr. C. W. Earle, 0.M.G., having made an explanation by letter and in person to the committee, and having expressed his regret, the committee recommended that no further action be taken. Mr. Earle said the article was not intended, and was not regarded, as an attack on the privileges of members of Parliament. It was an article dealing with a subject which had occasioned very great concern, and it was written from a sense of duty, with the sole object of serving the public interest. The newspaper Press in this and other British communities in the past had been permitted to exercise a free right of criticism on all questions of public interest and concern. The views expressed in the article, or similar views, had passed unchallenged by .Mr. Speaker within the walls of Parliament itself, and might be found in speeches by members of all political groups. The article had been Written in the hope and belief that it would direct attention to and assist to check a dangerous tendency which had been creeping insidiously into New Zealand's public life, and which, if permitted to pass unchallenged, must prove injurious or even ruinous to all classes.