Accuracy Of Reply Queried

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30822, 6 August 1965, Page 12

Accuracy Of Reply Queried

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 5.

The accuracy of some ministerial statements was raised in the adjournment debate in Parliament tonight. The debate, launched by Mr W. W. Freer (Opp., Mount Albert), revolved on a question he had asked the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella) yesterday. He had asked the Minister if he intended to refer the National Library Bill to the Library Committee of the House. Mr Kinsella, Mr Freer said, told the House it would be wrong for the committee to see the document. Yet one member had “rightfully in the eyes of the Minister” seen the document. Yesterday, the Minister had said it would be a breach of privilege to see the document, Mr Freer said, yet a letter asking for comment by

Friday had been circulated with the bill. Mr Freer maintained a vital principle was involved. “When a member asks a Minister a question, he is entitled to an honest answer." “Either the Minister didn’t know the facts or he set out to distort the facts.” If he was going to adopt tactics of trying to bluff his way when he did not know the facts, it was a sorry state of affairs. Mr Kinsella said Mr Freer was misleading the House. “The bill is not yet drafted.” Quoting from the Hansard record of his reply yesterday in the House, Mr Kinsella said the essential proposals for the National Library were considered by the select committee. It was incorrect to say the bill was sent to the committee. Mr R. J. Tizard (Opp., Pakuranga) said the matter was discussed by the committee in the presence of the Speaker (Sir Ronald Algie). “There are people who have seen this bill in printed form,” said Mr Tizard. •"The statement Mr Kinsella

made yesterday is so far divorced from the truth an independent observer would never suspect there was a marriage between the two,” Mr Tizard said. “The whole system of questions and answers depends on the veracity of the Minister who is giving the answer.” If one could not rely on the word of a Minister, what was the point of the whole procedure? He quoted the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand )as having said in March the draft bill had been prepared. “Now another Minister stands up and says there is no draft bill.” Mr Shand said the Government had nothing to hide. Nothing had been done that he would not expect every member of the House to approve. A draft bill was always considered the private property of the House. But when drafting proposals that concerned other people, it was absurd not to let them know the proposals so that their wishes could be heard. Mr Shand said he would be

astounded to hear any printed bill was in circulation. If something was printed that purported to be the bill, it was a fraud. Mr N. V. Douglas (Opp., Auckland Central) said if Mr Kinsella had answered the question yesterday without knowing what had gone on, it revealed his complete incompetence. If he did know the bill had been circulated then he had not given the House its right to a truthful answer. Mr Douglas said he had with him a copy of the proposed amendments that would be incorporated In the draft bill. “The Government has blundered on this and blundered badly.” The Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) said Mr Freer had made a serious allegation when he claimed he had seen a printed copy of the bill. Mr Freer: I did not say I had seen a copy of the bill. I said a member of the House bad seen a copy. Mr Freer should offer a public apology to Mr Kinsella for his serious allegations, said Mr Scott