Newspapers in Trouble

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume v, Issue 1430, 14 September 1905, Page 2

Newspapers in Trouble

Breaches of Privilege Publication of Secret Parliamentary Business

Discussion in the House

By Telegraph.—Press AAweiaiion. Weihngion, this day. In tho Housa yesierday afternoon Mr. James Alloa called attsatioa to tho publication in tho Donedin Evening s(nr of what purportod to bo a report of tbe procQodings at last week's mooting of tho Education Committee, and pointed out that it was incorrect in throe rospeots. Mr, Soddon said that tho name mossago appeared in tho Lyltelton Times, and ho moved that both newspapers had committed a broach <f previloge of the House by publishing a report of tho proceedings of a select committee of tho House which had not yot presented its report, Mr. Massey concurred. He said it was qnito clear that a breach of privilege had been committed, The Standing Order that had been infringed should either be enforced or swept away altogether. Mr. B, McKenzie -ventured to say that if each paper was fined 1250 the privileges of the Hmiße would be fairly well rospected in the future. / Mr. Seddon'a motion was agreed to on the voices, Mr. Scddo.n pointed out that in his speech at the Town Hall, Wellington, on Monday night Mr, James Allen had disclosed a portion of what toon place it, the meeting of the Education Committoe, and ho moved that a' breach ol privilege had been committed by tho New Zealand Times and Li/Uelton Times in publishing references made by that hon, momber to proceedings of the Education Committee.

Mr Jas Alien said he had referred in his speech to the superannuation scheme, but not to the work of tbo Education Committee. In fact he hiul distinctly stated thnt ho would not divulge what was done in the oommiHoo, Messrs Massey aud Buchanan, who wore present at the Town Hull meeting, said that Mr Jas Allen had not disclosed any evidonco given before ihe Education Com. mittee. After considerable difCHssion Mr Rhodes moved " the previous question," which was lost .by 82 votos to '26, and Mr. Soddon's motion was carried by 34 to 25.

Mr Seddon moved n similar motion in regard to the Christchurch Press, whioh had also published a report of Mr Jas. Allen's speech. . Mr Taylor said that tho Promier was deliberately wasting tho whole afternoon, and he had also been guilty of wasting tho time of and lowering (be tone of the House throughout the session. Mr Bauuio moved " tho previous question," Mr Harding seconded, saying that the House was being converted into a Punch and Judy show. Mr Seddon said he had had a return mado out, and found that Mr Taylor had cost tho country ; £5,000 fot tho session. It would pay tho country to give him a ponsion of £3,000 a yoar and 3ond him to Timbuokoo. Mr Bauuio'a motion was lost by 31 to 27, Gnd Mr Seddoo's motion wa,s agreed to by 33 to 27. Mr Seddbn intimated that ho would uiovo next day to set up a Privileges Committoe to consider all tho oasos dealt with that a'ternoon.