Breach of Privilige.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 101, 26 October 1895, Page 2

Breach of Privilige.

MR GEORGE HUTCHISON IN TROUBLE. THE HON. MEMBER APOLOGISES. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, This Day. The House met at 11 a.m. Mr Larnach, chairman of Public Accounts Committee, called attention to what he regarded as a breach of privilege on the part of Mr Geo. Hutchison who, on Thursday last, gave notice of a question relating to some evidence taken before the Public Accounts Committee. The Speaker ruled it was a breach of privilege to publish evidence taken before a select committee before that committee had reported to the House. Mr Seddon, in order to give Mr Hutchison an opportunity to explain, moved a breach of privilege had been committed. Mr Geo Hutchison said he might have committed a technical breach of privilege, but he asked the House to consider that he did so because he thought the House had a right to information on this matter, (the issuing by Government of debentures against the sinking fund of local bodies) and that was his only reason for doing so. After a lengthy discussion Mr Seddon's motion was carried by 34 to 12. The result of the motion was tnen communicated by the Speaker to Mr G. Hutchison, who had left the Chamber after he had made his speech and remained outside until he was sent for. Mr Seddon said it was not his intention to go on further in the matter, as he thought the resolution itself was sufficient punishment. He regretted, that when the hon. member for Patea returned to the Chamber he should be applauded by members as though he had done a noble action. Mr Hutchison said he at once recognised and bowed to the decision of the House, and wished to express his regret that under the circumstances he had committed a technical breach of the Standing Orders.