A DISRESPECTFUL M.L.C.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12640, 30 October 1905, Page 8

A DISRESPECTFUL M.L.C.

Per Press Association

In <sritioising the Australian and New Zealand Naval Defence Bill yesterday, the Hon. Rigg took 'occasion to refer to the British. Government as a " disreputable " Government. Being ruled out of order by the Speaker, 'he challenged the ruling. When the Legislative Council met this morning the Hon. Rigg moved that the Speaker's ruling was an infringement of the privileges of a meni>ber of the Council. In -moving thas motion the Hon. Rigg recalled an incident last year when he was not permitted to refer to the Chinese labour in South Africa as " slavery." This was ithe second time that he had had to disagree with the Speaker's ruling. That ruling would prevent members from commenting in a hostile manner on the Brit:sh Government. This was a serious question. There was no greater privilege than free speech, and if "this was to be curtailed in our Legislature we might expect the country to be subjected to a serious tyranny. He only hoped that what he iiad said that day would emphasize the necessity of free speech. The Hon. Cairneross seconded the motion, as he believed that the Hon. Rigg was (juite within his rights. At the same time he disagreed entirely and absolutely with views expressed by the Hon. Rigg. The Hon. Pitt, while deprecating any attempt to interfere with speech, argued that it was improper to refer to the Imperial Government in offensive terms. The Hon. Rigg should be permitted to criticise that Government to the fullest extent, but it should be criticised in respectful terms. The Hon. Miller said that whether the word was disrespectful or not the Speakers-ruling should be obeyed. The Hon. Rigg said he had not intended to call for a division, but to let the motion go on the voices. After the Attorney-General's attitude, however, he would insist on a division.

The motion was lost by 21 votes to