BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1542, 11 September 1912, Page 5

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

• ►— • MR. CRAIGIE COMPLAINS. 'A COOK ISI/AKD PETITION. In the House of Representatives yesterday Mr. J. Craigie, member for Timavu, raised, a question of breach of privilege in referoneo to a letter published'in The Dominion on Monday. A brief discussion took place, but Mr. Craigie did not press his motion, and ultimately it was withdrawn by leave. Mr. Craigie said that last year the 31 t.» Z Committee, of which he then had the honour to be chairman, hoard a petition from Mr. IV. Reynolds, asking that an inquiry should be held into the administration of the Cook Islands. The evidence of Mr. Reynolds was taken on five different days. ' It was taken down verbatim and typed. Ou account of only hearing tho evidence on one side the committee could not consider it and report to the House. The petition was now again before the M to Z Committee, and his attention had been called to a letter in The Dominion of the previous day, September 9, of which the last paragraph ran as follows:— The affair has been spun out to an unfortunate length, and it is sincerely to be hoped that as the old bogies Taihoa and Tammany are reported as dead, an open, thorough, and searching inquiry will be held at an early date by an unprejudiced committee, on the terms demanded last year, that it may be definitely decided who is responsible, and which party have right on their side. So far as those I speak for are concerned, I will say that we have from the commencement asked only to be allowed to meet in the open, and we have little fear as to who will be unhorsed in the tilt. —I am, etc., ' W. REVELL REYNOLDS. September 5, 1912. Mr. Craigie said that he took it that this letter was a distinct reflection upon his own honour and upon that of other members of the committee. He might be too sensitive, hut it appeared to- him that the suggestion of the paragraph was that the committee, of which,he had had the honour.to be chairman last year, was a prejudiced committee. This was a reflection not only on himself but on Messrs. Buddo, Tearce, Nosworthy, Clark, and others. A member: All honourable men. Mr. Craigie asked the Speaker to look into the matter and rule. It seemed to him that the paragraph was at least very indiscreet even if a breach of privilege had not been committed. Mr. Speaker said that the hon. gentleman had a right to movo that, a breach of privilege had been committed if he so desired. Mr. Craigie moved accordingly that the paragraph be read by the Clerk. The Prime Minister: Don't take up the time of the House with this. Mr. Wilford seconded the motion; The Prime Minister said that he hoped the hon. gentleman was not serious in this motion. The House had a gTeat deal of business before it. It was ciulte ngnt that the matter should be ventilated if the hon. gentleman felt that a reflection, had been cast upon him,-but if he persisted in this motion-the only result would be a- long -discussion leading to absolutely nothing. He was not prepared to say at the moment that tho paragraph refer-red--to''the ,hon. gentleman or anybody else. The matter was too frivolous to take notice of. The hon. consult his own dignity and .tho dignity of Parliament if-he asked leave to withdraw his motion. ' , .. Mr. A. M. Myers (Auckland East) said that there was absolutely no justification- for the wild and extravagant language used in the paragraph. Mr. Lraigio had been painstaking and conscientious to a fault in discharging his duties as rhairman Of the M to Z Committee. C. K. 'Wilson (Taumaruimi) said he did not think it was right that the petition before tho Committee at present should be prejudiced by this discussion. ■ , Mr. Speaker said he could not seo how ' the motion could possibly prejudice it. Mr. A. M. Myers (Auckland East) said ho sympathised with the member for Timaru, who, having carried out his duties in an exemplary manner, naturally Tesented such remarks as those quoted. H* suggested that the matter might now be allowed to drop. Mr. G. IV. Russell (Avon) said ho supported the suggestion .of Mr. Myers, because the paragraph under review rande no direct reference to the. chairman of the Committeeor of last year's Committee. The paragraph, by expressing a hope that the matter would be considered by on unprejudiced Committee, might, how. ever, be taken to infer by innuendo that tho matter had not yet been dealt with by an unbiased committee.. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Huninui) said the matter had been investigated with very great care by the Committee, to the complete satisfaction of the member in charge of the petition, who was Mr. 'R. A. Wright. The Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) said he was not surprised at the member for Tiniaru for being somewhat "touchy" on the expression of "prejudiced "committee" in view of the care with which the Committee had done the work. The chairman especially had shown very great patience. Ho suggested that the member for Tiraaru should withdraw his motion. Mr. G. V. Pearco (Patea) said the case had been heard carefully, but no decision had been arrived at. That was what he objected . to. And ho thought the member for Titnafu must be very sensitive to consider the paragraph a breach of privilege. '^ Mr. E. H. Clark (Chalmers) said that Mr. Reynolds had had ample opportunity to stato his case ■ before the Committee, and the Committee had conscientiously inquired into the matter. Mr.-J. Craigie (Timaru) said he had been glad to hear tho assurances of members that the inquiry had been conducted fairly. Ho contended. that the evidence of. Mr.. Reynolds concerning Captain Smith's .administration and conduct was not conclusive, and the Committee could not decide on the.questions at issue without hearing the evidence .of the men accused.- . Mr.' Pearce: Why didn't you-order an inquiry?. ' Mr. Craigie finally withdrew his motion.