RIGHTS OF PRESS IN N.S.W.

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27213, 3 December 1953, Page 11

RIGHTS OF PRESS IN N.S.W.

Bill Forced Through House (Rec. 9 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 2. The State Government last night used the closure to force the Sydney City Council (Disclosure of Allegations) Bill through Parliament. The Governor (Sir John Northcott) tonight gave the Royal Assent and the bill is now law. An Opposition move in the Legislative Assembly yesterday to debate an urgency motion that tne bill should not be sent to the Governor for assent until a Royal Commission on the City Council was held, was beaten by 48 votes to 33. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Vernon Treatt) moved the motion during question time. The State Parliamentary Liberal Party yesterday discussed ways of preventing the bill from becoming law and Mr Treatt interviewed Sir John Northcott. When the bill passing through its final stage in the State Parliament last night the Opposition protested vigorously, and the division bells rang almost continuously. The Government used the closure to prevent further discussion. The Premier (Mr J. J. Cahill) said in the Legislative Assembly that Sydney newspapers had “plumbed the lowest depths of human nature” in their opposition to the bill. Their actions had been part of a smear campaign which could be expected to go on until the City Council elections next Saturday.