PRIVILEGE?

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1233, 15 September 1911, Page 5

PRIVILEGE?

PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS, ME. MIiABEN AND "THE DOMINION."A personal explanation was made by Mr. Massoy in regard to a misrepresentation of his words and actions by the "New Zealand Times" of the sarno morning in a paragraph which was partly statement and partly running commentary. Mr. Massey tnr>ught the paragraph was a breach of privilege, but he did not wish to move it as such until there was a possibility that ho would not be permitted to make his personal explanation. This incident, which is reported elsewhere in this issue, had just closed when Mr. 1). M'Jjarcn rose and said that he wished to make some reference to an artielo in Tun Dominion. Addressing the Speaker ho said: "It makes an attack upon me, and imputes to me mercenary motives in the fulfilment of my public duties. 1 want your guidance in regard to this on the question ol' to how far a newspaper can go in the imputing of motives to a member in tho fulfilment of his public duties. The article is one that I take no exception to; I expected it. But I do take exception to these words, and I want your guidance as to whether there has been a breach of privilege in the publication of this matter. 'The article clearly refers to myself; it names me right throughout: . " 'It would appear that the leaders of organised Labour are growing ;iunions lest tho trade of quarrelling should languish to the point ol' threatening their broad and butter. 11l most unions one can always rely upon finding a small minority of irresponsible persons—usually single menready to make trouble, and Mr. M'Larcu wishes flint this clement shall be empowered to prevent the pea col at majority in tho union from going contentedly about their work.'

"Tho reference," Mr. M'Larcn continued, "is in regard to a question submitted by me in this House lo the Minister lor Labour, and tlio imputation is that I was doing it for mercenary motives—considering my ora living. I submit that this is not public criticism. It is not criticism of matters political, but a gross, vulgaT, personal attack, aud 1 consider that members of this ilouso have a right to be in some way protected from- scurrilous attacks of this kind. My character is as much to be respected as any man's in this country, and 1 want your guidance as to whether this article is not a breach of privilege in that it makes an attack of this nature, and imputes motives of a low character to myself in the fulfilment of my public duties. 1 think I am justified in asking for your guidance. Tho other matter appearing in the articlo I treat with the contempt which it deserves, which any low scurrilous attack deserves to receive., but when it comes to an attack on personal grounds, it is not only an attack upon me but on my wife and children. It' is a dirty contemptible thing to have motive!) imputed to mo of a low character such as this paper imputes to a man when ho is honestly difieiing from them in matters of opinion, and I hope there is sonic means whereby members of tin's House may bo protected from attacks of this nature. I ask _whether it' is not a broach of the privileges of the House that my action sliould to attributed to mercenary motives. The Speaker said he had no hesitation in saying that a motion declaring the newspaper statement to bo a breach of privilege would to in order, but beforo tliis could be put, the first step was to havo the paragraph in tho article read by tho Clork of tho House. Then it would be for the House to say whether its privileges had boon infringed, and this it could determine on a motion such as he had suggested. Mr. M'Larcn: I wish to move that tho Clerk read tho paragraph that I havo referred to.

The Prime Minister: May I suggest that tho honourable gentleman is taking an unwise course? I understand his feelings, but if ho takes this course ho is giving a free advertisement' lo a paper that is absolutely irresponsible in dealing with the public "men of this country. Mr. Fisher raised a point of order, in that thoro was nothing before tho nouse, but the Speaker ruled his point of order out, saying that ho understood that Mr. M'Larcn. had moved that tho words be read.

"Mr. M'Laren: I wish to make a personal explanation. Ido not movo anything. I shall take other means of dealing with the matter further. I don't wish to delay the business of the House and of the country, but I do protest strongly, and I shall tako other means of protesting against this paper's personal attack. The Prime Minisler said that personal attacks often reflected on tho pcoplo who made them. Mr. Wilford: I havo to thank thorn for my position as Mayor. The Prime Minister: I think wo have all got to the point that its personal attacks are nauseating. _ I assure tho honourable member that if ho can keep up their opposition to him in his contest for tho City Bast seat, he will go in by a thumping majority.