THE SECOND BALLOT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2297, 16 September 1908, Page 2

THE SECOND BALLOT.

AMENDING THE “GAG” CLAUSE. THE FIVE HUNDRED MAJORITY (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, Sept. IS. The amendments which the Government are proposing in the Second .Ballot Bill indicate that the measure • as it passed the Lower House was a somewhat ill-digested one, and the Attorney-Genettal ha 6 now given notice of various amendments. It is proposed to make it an offence for •any person to call together, or address, or take part in any public meeting, or any meeting of electors (whether tile admission to that meeting is general or restricted), with intent to promote, procure, advocate, oppose, or prevent the election of any candidate for the second ballot, or to influence or procure the vote of any elector at the second ballot. The “gag” clause prohibiting the newspapers from making any reference to ca ndidates in the interval between the first and second ballots, is to be amended. The Attorney-General will move the addition of the following sub-clause : “Nothing in the last preceding subsection shall make it an offence to publish in any newspaper registered under the Printers’ and Newspapers’ Registration Act, 1908, any statement of fact if that statemen ,of fact is true in, substance and if the publication' thereof' is for the public benefit.” The Attorney-Gen-eral will also move tp add the following new clause: “Nothing in this Act shall affect the provisions of the Licensing Act, 1908, as to the licensing poll to be'taken under that Adt and every such poll shall be taken on the. same day and in the same manner as if this Act liad not been passed.” Even with this amendment the “gag” clause wall be regarded by newspaper men us objectionable. In the Council the “free speechers” continued their fight on the other sections of the clause, and towards midnight were still going strong. The interest in the proceedings was shown, by the fact that no fewer than three Cabinet Ministers were present in the gallery, together -will some members of the Lower House, while the press gallery was not sufficiently large to accomodate those who wished to report proceedings. THE CLOSURE MOVED. . Interest in politics to-day centred' in the Upper House, which w-as discussing the (Sicond liallot Bill. The position was a somewhat exihuordiuary one. The House of Representatives put in the five hundred majority clause and the Attorney-General, m the Upper House, magnanimously agreed to strike it out. It was accordingly struck out. The “gig” clause found quite a number of staunch critics fighting for freedom of speech and the freedom of the press. Towards eleven o’clock Mr. Raul waxed satirical, and said it only remained to prohibit aRi gatherings of more than half-a-dozen people during both the first and the second ballots. “Even fishing,” interjected one lion, member. “Would you disallow funerals?” queried Mr. Jones. “No,” said Mr. Paul, “I do not 6ee any method of prohibiting funerals.” (Laughter.) , he one presently,” retorted Mr. Jones. “The proceedings of this august assembly', teaid another member, liuve descended to the level of a child’s picnic. Mr. Carucross, for the fifth or sixth time, made a vigorous protest. He sand they were destroying the “maila” of the Liberal party by introducing such a clause to block the right of free speech,. If they did that it would bo a discredit to that House for ye ire to come. He would be ,ashamed to have his name recorded as on© who voted in favor of such a shocking clause. Mr. Jenkinson- said he saw certain , members with the red book in their hands, members who seldom looked at it, and who did not understand it when they did look at it, and from that he judged they were going to apply the “gag”’ in the Council and stop the debate. _Mr. Jeiikiii6on was right, for a few minutes .later Mr. Beclian moved the closure. This was seconded by Mr Trask and carried by 19 to 7. • The ' closure had reference to sub-clause 1 of clause 19. w hich was being debated. Then points of order were raised and more tune wasted. At 11.30 n m nifiim C on 1S ' Spe ? kGr "’ as Pitting l hie 'ron» on record as certain lion, members wished it challenged.