The Hastings Standard Published Daily. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1896. HANSARD.

Hastings Standard, Issue 51, 25 June 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1896. HANSARD.

For the cause that Sacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

In- the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon the Speaker ruled that matter neither spoken nor read in the House should not he published in Hansard. This was in answer to a question by Sir Robert Stout, and bore reference to the report of the exTreasurer's speech on Tuesday hist—a speech that reflected little to the credit of Mr Ward. But those who know anything of Hansard know full well that the whole thing is a farce. Matter appears in every edition that has not been mentioned in the Chamber, and speeches have appeared with remarks that huve never been made.

Under the old system members were granted unlimited freedom in tlie correction of their speeches, and the reporters have played but a small part at times in the production of the revised article. People have even gone so far as to say that a negative sentiment expressed on the floor of the House has by some means been converted into an affirmative one in Hansard. It is not a question of conscience with members, it is a question of expediency. When a member finds he has made a statement that may not accord with the views of his constituents he has but to erase it in his proof-sheet, and it does not appear. This accounts for many discrepancies between the newspaper reports and those of the Hansard staff. Many speakers have left unsaid what they intended to say, and what, perhaps, the time-limit prevented them from saying. With a little judicious manoeuvring all these bright thoughts may be clearly expressed in Hansard, and it is done in every issue. It was thought that the alteration in the mode of correcting members' speeches would to a certain extent modify the infringement, and it is rather surprising that under the new m/Zw/ 1 , Sir Robert Stout has found fault—and not without cause—with matter appearing in Hansard that had not been uttered in the House. Under existing conditions the authorised publication of members' speeches is a thorough farce, and the sooner a fixed rule is made the better.