THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1527, 24 August 1912, Page 6

THE HOUSE.

FIRST READINGS. The House mot at 2.15 p.m. The following Bills were read a first time:—Wanganui Bridge Amendment Bill (Mr. Fraser); Wangjwiui Rivor Trust Ameiulinont Mill (Mr. Fraser). THE EGMONT ELECTION. The SPEAKER announced that he had j-h.-it. day recnived a lutt'vr from the Hon. T. MnokPnzie t.enuVrinc resignation ns member of Pnrlifiinent for the ionstitnenoy oi Egmonl;,

1 The PRIME MINISTER-moved:-"That Mr. Speaker bu directed to issue a warrant to tho Clerk of tlio Writs to innke owt ft now writ for tlio election of a member of the House of Representatives for the electoral district of Egmont, to replace tho Hon. T. Mackenzie, resigned." Mr. G. Vi. Resell asked tho Primo to indicato when tho election would tnko place. Tho Primo Minister said that ho thought that the election should lake place as soon as possible. This would bo best for Parliament and for tho people of Jigmont, who were at present without a representative. Tho motion was agreed to. MR. SPEAKER MISREPRESENTED. A NEWSPAPER PARAGRAPH. Sir. SPEAKER directed tho attention of members to the following paragraph published in the "Southland Daily News" on August 19, 1912:— "In tho Houso of Representatives on Wednesday, the Sneaker put on record Mr. Mnealister's statement in reply to tho Hon. F. 21. B. Fisher's allegation that his firm had an unfair monopoly of Crown legal work in Inyercargill, and expressed regret that a Minister of the Crown should htivo brought down, without consideration, a statement involving the reputation of a gentleman who stood so high in an honourable profession." Mr. Speaker said that hon. members who had attended the sittings of tho House while ho had bcon presiding, would know that ho had nuver made any such statement as to him in this paragraph. Ho had taken the earliest opportunity of refuting the statement which the paragraph contained. Ho had not said a word about the Hon. Mr. Fisher's statement or about any reply by Mr. Macalister. . Mr. ,T. A. HANAN (Invercargill) eaid that tho mistake in the paragraph was merely -'a\ typographical error. The '"speaker" referred to was Mr. Buddo. This paragraph had been taken from the Press Association message, and printed as a local. Mr. Buddo's name had been omitted in error. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher: Might I ask the apologist for the "Southland News" if the newspaper corrected tho mistake next day? Mr. Hanan said that the Minister for Marine should apologise for his own blunders. No doubt the "Southland News" was not aware of the mistake that had been made. If the hon. gentleman (Mr. Fisher) would follow the example of Hie "News" and apologise when ho made blunders, he would take a higher place in tho esteem of tho people of New Zea"jlV. G.ANDERSON (Mataura) said that the "Southland News" was well known to be an extremely partisan paji«v. It should make an ample apology. (Hear, hear.) The apology of tho member for Invorcargill was inadequate. Mr. Hannn said that he had not apologised, but explained. Mr. .T. C. THOMSON (Wallace) Supported tho view taken by Mr. Hanan. Mr. Isitt on Brotherliness. Mr. L. M. ISITT (Christchurch North) said that he was pleased to see a dawning conscience on the part of tho Opposition towards newspaper morality. (Loud hear, hears, from the Government benches.) The-excuse tendered, Mr. Isitt continued, was a reasonable one. If the editor did not make an ample apology he would merit the severest criticism. He concluded by pleading for a spirit of brotherliness which would resent as keanly a wron* done to one side of the House as to the other. Mr. W. C. Buchanan (Wairarapn): The hon. gentleman reminds me very strongly of the old saying about Satan reproving sin. That hon gentleman, under the privilege of this House, accused a gentleman outside of this House who. is in charge of a public newspaper, of an invention. Mr. Isitt: And I stand by it absolutely! Mr. Laureiuon Taisud a point of order claiming that Mr. Buchanan was ■ - referring to a past debate. Mr. Speaker ruled that this could not bo done. Mr. Buchanan said that he had been tempted to forget the rule for a moment. It was very edifying to_ have a lecture from Mr. Isitt on the rights and wrongs suffered sometimes from mistakes or statements by journals throughout Now Zealand. He was sure that to-day it was recognised that whoever in this House, or outside of it — Mr. Forbes raised a point of order asking whether members were at:liberty to go into the whole question, of the conduct of newspapers. • "Mr. Speaker said that discussion must be confined to the question before the House. Sensitive Members. Mr. BUCHANAN said that he could not help remarking what was verv obious—the sensitiveness of some members of the House. Mr. Laurenson: Order! Mr. Buchanan continued that the attitude of the Opposition was remarkable in view of the criticism -which they had attempted to inflict upon members on that side of the House. He thought that the newspaper that had been, called in question by Mr. Speaker deserved severe censure. Its'proprietors or those in control could easily have ascertained what the real position was. Instead of' that they had .introduced the name of Mr. Speaker into the newspaper and in terms that were altogether unjustified. The Hon. F...A1. B. FISHER rose to speak. Mr. HANAN at once claimed that the hon. gentleman had already spoken. Mr. Fisher had asked a question which he (Mr. Hanan) had answered. Mr. Speaker overruled the objection. An Insufficient Explanation, • Mr. Fisher said that he did not think that the ingenious explanation offered by Mr. Hanan explained the paragraph. It contained no reference to Mr. Bnddo and was printed with a capital j Mr. Hanan said that a compositor's mistake would no doubt account for tho capital "S." Mr. Fisher said that the paragraph had been sent to him by several people in Invercargill. Yet in reply to'his ouestion Mr. Hanan had said that the pliuer had not published a correction. He knew that this had not been done. Mr. Hanan: Their attention has not been called to it or they would have done so. Mr. Fisher said that the paragraph couveyed tho impression to whoever "read it that tho Speaker had read to the House a statement by Mr. Macalister and had commented upon his (Mr. Fisher's) action. He thought that everyone in tho House knew who was responsible for this item of news. . Mr. D. BTTICIC (Palmerston) eaid that an article reflecting upon the Speaker should be above party politics. He was sorry that an effort wns being made' on tho part of the other side of tho House to make it a party question. Mr. A. M. MYERS (Auckland East) said that it was clear that the paper had made a mistake, and but for the unfortunate speech of the member for Mntnura tho insulent might havo been closed without further discussion. If they were to niaJ;e a party question of these little matters, they would not be doing justice to the bost interests of the Dominion. Mr-. ANDERSON objected to the remarks that had been made. All he asked was that the newspaper, should apologise lor what it had done. A Serious Breach of Privilege. The PRIME MINISTER said that ho had ]ust seen the cutting, and it was more serious than he had at first thought. He was not quite certain that it was a mistake.. It undoubtedly placed both Mr. Speaker and the Minister for Customs in a false position. It made Sir Arthur Guinness, as Speaker of the House, reprimand the Minister for Customs for some wrong-doing on his part. That amounted to a very serious breach of privi. lege, and the Houso was entitled to a full and complete apology. He hoped that apology would be forthcoming. (Hear, hear.) Mr. G. W. RUSSELL (Avon) said that it was quite clear that a mistake had been made, and he felt that a correction would immediately be made. Probably some inexperienced mib-editof hnd tiikcii Mr. Buddo'? words ns haying been uttered by Mr. Speaker. .Mr. Fisher: But n. capital ",S" ha? boon "ilr. G. W. Russell Mid the capital "S" was bound to bo them if the sub-editor assumed that it n-ns tho Speaker of .the House who wo? spoakinsr. Under th« cirMs, fixator, aad, J&n M-

t«r for Customs were entitled to an apology. Mr. I'mldo said it was obvious '.lint a mistako had been made. HISTORICAL RESEARCH. NOTHING PAID TO ME. M'NAB. Mr. G. LAL-RENSON (Lyttelton) said that ho wished to refer to a statement made in tho course of n very excellent speech, with most of which he was in entire accord, by the member for Wellin"ton East. Dr. Newman hnd made a gtatemeut which ho would certainly withdrawso soon as he knew the facts of tho case— a- statement concerning a grant of .£SOO to ono who had once been a member fnvV 10 m/ 01 '- 80 ; thc lr °"- Robert that thi> Hon. Robert M'Nab was drawing .£ooo a year from the Government tor researches concerning the early historv of I\ew Zealand. Mr. M'Nab had never drawn a brass farthing" from the Government. Mr W. C. BUCHANAN (Wairarapa) raised a point of order. He did not object to the statement, but the matter was the subject for a notice of motion. Mr. Witty: Which may never be answered. The Hon. Dr. Pomare: That is a nice insinuation. Mr. Speaker said he thought the member for Lyttelton had a right to make a statement with the indulgence of tho House. Mr. Laurenson went on to say that Mr. M'Nab had spent thousands of pounds in work which was to him a- labour of love. He thought the member for Wellington East should withdraw Ms statement. Dr. NEWMAN (Wellington East) said he had not stated that .£501) a year was paid-Id Mr. M'Nab, but he was'still satisfied that the item on the Estimates was intended to be a payment.to the Hon. R, M'Nab. ■ The Hon. P. M. B. FISHER said that ho had asked the _ Government Printer specially about this item, and he had been informed that the vote was for tho printing and publication of the result of Mr. 11/KftVs work. All that Mr. M'Nab would get out of it would be - one copy of the production. The matter had come before Cabinet, and Cabinet had decided that the work was of such historical value that the payment oucht to be allowed. Mr. G. W. RUSSELL (Avon) also supported, the payment. . .