BREACH OF PRIVILEGE

Southland Times, Issue 21196, 24 September 1930, Page 5

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE

FURTHER REFERENCE IN HOUSE. EXPLANATION AND' APOLOGY ACCEPTED. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, September 23. In the House of Representatives this afternoon the Speaker (Sir Charles Statham) read a copy of a. letter which he had sent to Mr S. J. McKee, member of the Hawkes Bay Hospital Board, notifying him of the resolution passed by the House and expressing the opinion that his explanation with respect to the breach of privilege case was unsatisfactory and evasive.

He also read replies received from Mr McKee and his solicitors. ' Mr McKee said that he had asked the full meeting of the Hospital Board to state whether. he had used the words of which complaint had been made. Unfortunately, owing to the lapse of time a few of the members had retained no clear recollection of what had actually been said at 1 the meeting or by whom it had been said, but he was glad to say that the majority of members present were of the opinion that he had not used the- words attributed to him in the Napier Daily Telegraph. Mr McKee added that the reporter representing the Hawkes Bay Tribune was emphatic that the objectionable words as published by the Daily Telegraph had not been used. His report had been taken down in shorthand and supported the opinion previously expressed by Mr McKee that he had not accused Mr Barnard of “deliberately lying.”

Continuing, Mr McKee stated that he was anxious, however, that no .personal reflection' should remain on Mr Barnard through the remarks published by the Daily Telegraph. It had never been his intention to comment adversely upon Mr Barnard’! actions or sayings, either in or out of the House of Representatives, and he regretted that his words could have been so construed at least by the reporter for the Daily Telegraph. He therefore conveyed to Mr Barnard his sincere apology and regret for the publication and assured him that when speaking at the Hospital Board meetin; he (the writer) did not desire to convey the meaning reported. The acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. E; A. Ransom) moved that in view of Mr McKee's further explanation and expressions of regret contained in the letter, no further action should be taken against him. Mr W. E. Barnard (L., Napier) stated that he personally was satisfied and he suggested that the explanation and apology should meet the requirements of the Hbuse. The .motion was adopted unanimously.