“MISUSE OF PRESS”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3139, 13 July 1942, Page 8

“MISUSE OF PRESS”

PROTEST IN THE HOUSE QUESTION BY MR J. THORN CORRESPONDENT’S LETTER A strong protest was made by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) in the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon when his attention was called to the publication in a morning newspaper of an anonymous correspondent’s letter relating to Ministers’ and members’ salaries. The letter asked whether such salaries were free of social and national security taxes, and if so, who

brought the Bill doWn. In raising the matter as an urgent question, Mr J. Thorn (Government, Thames), asked whether’, as it was imputed in the statement that members of Parliament were exempt from the payment of these taxes, the Prime Minister would state the actual position. He also asked whether the Prime Minister would take action to prevent the publication in newspapers in future of statements of this character.

The Prime Minister thanked the member for giving him an opportunity of “nailing an inferential lie to the counter.” It was, he continued, obviously a misuse of the privileges of the Press and an endeavour to 'bring Parliament into disrepute. (Government members: Hear, hear.)

Mr F. W. 'Doidge (National, Taurange) : It is only asking a question.

“The hon. member for Tauranga can be the judge of his own honour,” retorted Mr Fraser. “If he attaches no importance to the honour of Parliament, then I question whether he ought to be here at all.” Mr Speaker intervened to state that when a Minister was replying there should be no- interjections. Serious View Taken

Continuing, Mr Fraser said he placed 1 a high value on the honour of Parliament, and as he was the Leader of the House for the time being* he took a very serious view of the matter that had. been raised. He resented any imputation that the members of Parliament would take advantage of their position to. free themselves from taxation. It was a reflection upon every member of the House—a misuse of the privileges extended to the Press, which ought to respond by showing a sense of responsibility.

He was approached repeatedly to ensure a supply of newsprint to this country, ’ and he . questioned whether this sort of misuse of newsprint should be tolerated at all. If people concerned with the editing and running* of newspapers could not help the country in its war effort, instead of stirring up strife between classes in the community, then they were betraying their trust. He hoped those responsible for the running of the newspaper in this case would take notice of that fact.