Latest Parliamentary.

Western Star, Issue 1576, 4 July 1891, Page 2

Latest Parliamentary.

(By Telegraph ) Wellington-, F• iday,

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Council went into Committee on ike following bills, which were reparted with slight amendments and ordered to be read a third time on Tuesday :—The Promoters and Directors Liability Bill, the Partnership Bill, the Repeals Bill, Indecent Advertisements Bill,

The Companies Memorandum of Association Bill was committed, reported without amendment, I’ead a third time and passed. The Council rose at 3.20 p.m.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Rees wsshed to call the Speak: er’s attention to an article attached appearing in the Wellington Evening Press of the previous night referring to Mr Jackson Palmer, a member of the House. He moved that the article was a breach of privilege of the House, and said he considered a more gross attack had not been made on a member of the House for years past. —Mr Smith (New Plymouth) seconded the motion. He was one of those who bolievod in the liberty of the Press and the liberty of speech, but he considered tkat any newspaper which published an article like the one referred to should be suppressed. The Hon. Mr Ballanee, in reply to a question of an bon, member said he thought the House should certainly proceed further. The motion was carried, as the attack made on Mr Palmer was one of the grossest ever heard of. Mr Hall, while admitting that the article was an improper one, pointed out that of all the cases in which the House had come into contact xvifcli the Press, he never knew an instance in which the House had cum out of the t’rav with dignity. Mr Scobie did not defend the article, but ho asked whether anything that had appeared in it was nearly so had as the statement made by Mr Ball.nice that Judge Edwards was an imposter, masquerading in the courts of (lie colony.

Mr Bryce expressed opinion that the article referred to was most unfair and uncalled for, but 1m could not see a-u v good in fighting the matter further than by passing the resolution. The Mon. Mr Sodden contended that the House should mute in putting down proceedings of this kind, and should protect a young member who it was admitted on Jail sides had done nothing whatever to deserve the attack on him.

;V largo number of members spoke on the question, after which the motion was put and earned on the voices.

Mr Rees (lion moved that John Laws Kirkbriclo, publisher of the Wellington Evening Press be sum moned to the bar of the House on Tuesday next at 7.30 p.m. to give an

explanaHm of the a-tide. A discussion ensued, but it was interrupt eel by the 5.30 adjournment.