POLITICAL NOTES.
[BY TELKOKAPH — SPIX'IAL HKPOIITKH. ] WELLINGTON, Last Night. BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. TllK, whole of the afternoon sitting was taken up by a question brought forward by Mr Rees respecting an article in last night's Wellington Press on Mr Jackson Palmer. Mr Rods rose immediately after tho Speaker read prayers, and before the petition* or notices of motion were read, and called attention to an article in the Evening Press which ho considered a gross breach of privilege, as it reflected upon the honour of a member of the House. 'I he article in ipieslion referred to Mr Jackson Palmer, tlie member (or Waiteniata. The Clerk of tho House having read the article, Mrßeesmuved "That tho article is a breach of tho privileges of tho House." In proposing tho motion he said he had not read a more gross or personal attack upon a member of tho Mouse for years. The expressions contained iu it were highly libellous upon two members of tho llouse, Mr Palmer and the Minister for Justice. The imputations were simply scandalous. Mr Palmer's private character was attacked, and ho was held ut> to public ridiculo and scorn, stigmatised as being ignorant of his profession, and described as a tool of a Minister of the Crown, who being afraid to do anything himself, had inspired tho lion, gentloman, and all because Mr Palmer had chosen to put a question to the Minister and had received an answer. The Minister of Justice was also spoken of as a coward, and tho article was so gross a breach of newspaper privilege that he thought all parties ought to unite in putting it down. Ho would stand up fur the liberty of the pross, but this was a matter of malignant licentiousness. As regards the personal part of the article, the members concorned must look after themselves, but tho Houso ought at least to protect its own dignity. The debate that followed lasted till the dinner adjournment, and may probably occupy several hours longer. This evening, I hear, there wore ono or two exciting scenes during tho discussion, and a great many points of order raised, the whole thing soon assuming the aspect of a party tight. It was finally carried by 3(5 to 120, that a breach of privilege had been committed, and a lengthy discussion immediately arose as to the next step to bo taken for the punishment of the pnblishor of the Press. The debate is still (8 p.m ) proceeding. SIR GEORGE GREY'S ATTITUDE. It is stated that Sir George Grey has decided that though the Government policy does not exactly represent his own views on the subject of taxation, he will not press his own ideas to any extent that he finds will embarrass them. He considers that all the present proposals must be merely tentative in view of the probability of Federation and subordinate in practical value to the one-man-one-vote principle. . COLONEL MCDONNELL'S PETITION A petition has been presented tc Parliament by Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell, ! in which he claims that by the request of ■■ the authorities ho remained in command of i the colonial forces in New Zealand, and i inflicted a crushing defeat, on To Kooti. lie petitions for £000 then promised and i other relief.
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Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2960, 4 July 1891, Page 2
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542POLITICAL NOTES. Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2960, 4 July 1891, Page 2
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