"BREACH OF PRIVILEGE"

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7264, 21 October 1910, Page 5

"BREACH OF PRIVILEGE"

; REFLECTIONS UPON PARLIAMENT. . A NE\Y«PAP£I('S STATEMENTS. The comment by the "Otaki Mail" •upon the alleged' caut-os wttieh brought ai»ut the rejection ct the Otak;- County Bill by the .Local Bills Conimiittee was complained of by Mr G. Laurenson in the Jiout-e of Itepiesentatives lust night. On tie motion of Mr Laurenson, who iis chairman ot the Local Bills Committee, an article in the "Otaki Mail' of "Wednesday was read by the -clerk. It expressed dissatisfaction the rejection of the 'Otaki County Bill, and suggested that in coming to this decision the Local Bills Committee's first consideration was '* which side can pull the most strings ... as the opponents ito the Bill pulled the most wires, ami I doubtless secured the assistance of sev- \ eral personal friends among the members the measure was safely disposed | of," continued Hie article. "Thus are the rightful requests of the: majority of the people trampled upon > Is not such a state of affairs- a disgrace to the .Dominion? . . . The law of the land that allows -.such thrusts to be done is rotten, and the people should demand amendment. Mr Laurenson moved "That abroach of privilege has licen committed." Unless the House resented this unwarranted abuse, unbridled and practically libellous attacks upon men who were endeavouring to do their duty, there would bo a decadence in the political life cf the community. The Prime Minister said he was not at all sure whether the action proposed to be taken by Mr Laurenson would not add to the glorification of an editor against whom, under the standing orders, very little coul dbe done. If an. attempt was" made to make a martyr of the editor it might do more harm thangood. Mr Laurenson remarked that his object had l>een achieved in placing the real facts on record. He would therefore asl: leave to withdraw the motion. Leave to withdraw was given.