PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1931, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE. QUESTION OF PRIViLECE. (By Telegraph—Per Press'Association) WELLINGTON, July 11. In the House of Representatives yesterday aft-jnoon, a statement that he nacl b..til the \ ictim of a breach of pri\i!ege was made by Mr Lye, who said he had received a letter from an Auckland firm enclosing proof of the copy or an advertisement wliich it stated it was publishing for public circulation. The lett.'r alleged his remr rPsl’fhoarding the gift e -upon system during his add ress-i n-reply were ‘‘unwarranted a fid slanderous and challenged him publicly to repeat the statements outside the House “naming our firm (Pond and Bond Ltd., Auckland) as the firm you referred to, and so give us an opportunity to seek legal means of redress for injury and expense you have orcasioned by the statements referred to.’

Mr Lye added that the proof copy to which reference was made consisted of a full page advertisement containing statements that were damaging to himself and totally inaccurate. He read the first sentences as follows. “Thousands of intelligent people branded as fools, reputable traders charged with fraud. F. Lye M.P., for Waikato in his wild and abusive attack upon the gift coupon system of advertising macte assertions that if true would brand many thousands of New Zealanders ns fools and simpletons, and many reputable traders as.fraudß and tvieksters.”

Mr Lye declared ; he had refused to " y give any indication as to the person firm, or company concerned in his re-« marks during the debate. He had been interviewed by a representative of Bond and Band, and had been informed that they demanded the withdrawal of the charges he had made against coupon advertis’ng. Mr Forbes said one of the privileges of members was that they should have perfect privilege in discusing matters of public interest. Mr Lye had referred to no part cular firm. M McCombs.—He was even entitled to name the firm if he chose. Mr Forbes mov’ed that the letter constituted a breach of privilege. Mr H.. E. Holland asked why the newspaper wliich. published the advertisement was not covered by.the motion.

Mr Forbes. —There is no proof yet that it had been published in a " newspaper. Mr Lye.—lt appeared in the New Zealand “Herald” this morning. The Prime Minister said if the matter ware referred to a committee it could decide what further action to take . The motion was adopted and a Committee of Privilege appointed, consisting of Messrs Forbes, Bodkin, Jones, Wright, Barnard, and Fraser to inquire into the case.

UNEMPLOYMENT BILE PASSED. WELLINGTON, July 11. The Unemployment Amendment Bill was put through oofrtmittee and reported to the House with amendments, read, a third time and nassd. The amendments included exemption from the wages tax granted to relief workers under No. o Scheme, where the remuneration paid by the Board constituted their total wages. The House rose at 5.50 p.m. till 2.80 p.m rn Turdoy. when the Address-in-Reply debate will be resum'd.

THE COUNCIL, The Legislative Council met at 3 p.m. "ml immediatev adjourned till Tuesday.