ARE JOURNALISTS HONOURABLE?

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8020, 28 September 1906, Page 3

ARE JOURNALISTS HONOURABLE?

ATTACK AND DEFENCE. (Br Telegraph.—Special to Waikato Times). WELLINGTON, Last Night. Considerable indignation exists amongst members of the Press Gallery regarding the attack upon them on Wednesday night by Mr Chas. Lewis, who in the course of the debate on the breach of privilege, declared that he would like to paint over the door of the Press Gallery " For Gentlemen only," and they should exclude all that did not come within that definition. Mr Lewis felt that the journalists of today did not treat Parliament with the same amount of dignity that the House was treated with by Parliamentary news - gatherers years ago. The Member for Courtenay said he was not a stickler for secrecy, but it appeared to be thought that members of the profession to day could get ahead of others by sneaking around, and getting their news through keyholes.

This afternoon Mr Greenslade asked the Premier without notice whether he agreed with the sentiments of Mr C, L3wis regarding the Press Gallery. The members of the Opposition Party received the question with a shout of laughter.

The Premier repliei that he did not agree with Mr Lewis' sentiments at all. So far as he had had experience of members of the Press Galjgj&y, they were highly honourable men, andhe had never had any other experience with them.