EXTRACTS FROM " HANSARD.
CHIEF JUDGE OF NATIVE LAND
COURT.
In the Hcnae on Jnly 17, Mr Walker asked the Government, if the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court Is a Civil Servant 1 Contingent on the above question being answered m the sfflrraative, he had to ask Mr Speaker, if it is cot an Infringement of the privileges of the House 'hat a letter from a Civil servant, cotrmentiDg on words uttered m debate by a member ot the Htiue, BhouM be pieced on the table by command ? He would ask the Government to reply to the firat part of the question.
Mr Mitcheleon said, Yea } the Chief Judge of the Ntt!ve*[Land Court was a Oivil servant.
■' Mr Walker would aek Mr Speaker the seoond part of the question.
Mr Speaker ea'd the question sub mitted to him waa not at all such a simple one as at first blush it might appear to be. It appeared to him that the conduct of three persons was Involved m the quee<lot- viz., that ef the Chief Jadge of the Native Land Court m commenting upon a debate m the House, that of His Excellency the Governor In directing these comments to be submitted, to the Home, and that of the Minister for Public Workß In presenting the document to the House. It was not for the Speaker to pronounce by hteijm dixit that a breach of the privilege had taken place— -that was a question for the House to decide ; and In a case of ' this kind , where the conduct of so many persons was involved, be thought that he might fairly suggest that the course laid down by Sir Erekine May, and adopted by this House m 1877 under somewhat similar circumstances, might be followed. The suggestion aB to oases of this kind was. —
" If there be any special circumstances arising out of a complaint of breach of privilege, it is u s ual to appoint a Select Committee to inquire Into thorn, And for the House to Buspend judgment until their report has been presented." He did not intend to dfotate to the honorable gentleman to follow tint course. Be tto<ighit it was open to him to give notice of motion to the effect that a Jlrect breach of privilege had been committed ; bat he would venture to suggest (hat the House should deal with a matter of this kind calmly and deliberately, and, unless some member could suggest a better course, have a Committee appointed 'o report on the matter before the House itself exDreesed any deolslon. Mr Walker said he 'ahold take Mr Speaker's advloe, and moved for a Committee to consider this question.
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1915, 10 August 1888, Page 3
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448EXTRACTS FROM " HANSARD. Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1915, 10 August 1888, Page 3
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