The Hawera Star. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1932. WHAT IS PARLIAMENT GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 16 November 1932, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1932. WHAT IS PARLIAMENT GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Deliverer* erery evening by 5 o’olook In Hawera, Manaia. Kaupokonui. Otakeho. Oeo, Pihama, Opunake, Normanby, Okaiawa. Eltham, Ng-aere. Mangatoki, Ka/ponga, Awatuna, Te Kiri. Mahoe, Loivgartb, Manutabi, Kakaramea, Alto:3, Hurleyville, Patea, Whenuakura. Waverley, Mokoia. Whakamara, Ohangj i, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

The resolutions passed at a mass meeting of Wellington citizens yesterday protesting against the treatment meted out to Air A. Macintosh by Parliament on a breach of privilege charge, should cause some members of the House, and all members of the Parliamentary Labour Party, to see themselves in a new and disconcerting light. The situation that has been'created as a result of Mr Holland’s motion is without precedent in the history of this country; indeed, it is extremely doubtful if it has a precedent anywhere in an Empire in which justice and good sportsmanship are properly venerated. Rome day the incident will provide a theme for the “ Comedy of Democracy” which has yet to be written, but the present generation is too close to the realities of the situation and its ugly possibilities to appreciate its humorous possibilities to the full. The next move in this affair lies with Parliament. The House of Representatives knows now that nowhere in the country has it any support for its attitude. Until such time as Parliament can give assurances that this mistake will never be repeated, individual members must never again seek to impress “the people” with the idea that an aura of sanctity hangs over the legislative chamber lest they make themselves objects of laughter. This state of affairs is most unfortunate for those members who were not parties to the ridiculous agitation for the disciplining of a member of a Royal Commission, but they can at least assist outside influences in bringing the House to a proper sense of proportion. A very significant clause in one of the resolutions adopted at Wellington yesterday points the way out. This states: “In the opinion of this meeting members of a Royal Commission are entitled, within the scope of their official duties, to exactly the same protection as judges and magistrates.”

That clause was obviously drawn by a person with a full appreciation of the meaning of the words employed. The incidents arising from the Macintosh addendum fully prove the necessity for the incorporation in the law of sonic such safeguard of the rights of citizens called upon to act as Royal Commissioners. If Parliament fail to face this task a palpable weakness in our system of government and justice will remain and the difficulties of inducing citizens of ability and repute to throw . the searchlight of truth upon problems of administration will become serious, bringing grave menace to the rights and privileges of democracy.