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Wednesday, 22 October 1919

Mr JOWETT (Grampians) .- I desire to confine my remarks to the Bill. Like every honorable member, I have read the measure very carefully, and I find that its most striking feature is the extraordinary power given to the Attorney'General. Naturally, therefore, the exercise of power by the Attorney-General under this Bill has been given considerable prominence during the debate. I have been astounded by the attitude of the members of the Opposition with regard to the measure. Hypocrisy readied its utmost limit in their remarks, because, although they have denounced the Bill and the Act upon which it is founded, that Act was passed by them when they were in power. The date on which the original War Precautions Act was introduced was 29th October, 1914. By whom was it introduced? By those honorable gentlemen who now sit upon the Opposition benches, and who, with the most consummate hypocrisy, have attacked this Bill.

Mr SPEAKER (Hon W Elliot Johnson - Order;!

Mr JOWETT - I withdraw the remark. I am still determined to keep my remarks within the four corners of the measure. The War Precautions Act was amended on the 13th December, 1915, when the same honorable gentlemen who are attacking this Bill were in power.

Mr Mathews - Which Bill? This Bill or "Bill" Hughes*

Mr JOWETT - I shall meet my friend the duke on that point later. I find that the War Precautions Act was amended on the 13th May, 1916. By whom? By the party who have debased and degraded this House by their accusations this evening.

Mr SPEAKER - Order ! I ask the honorable member to be a little more moderate in his language. Expressions of an offensive nature directed against other honorable members are not in order. I ask the honorable member to address himself bo the Bill.

Mr JOWETT - I thank you, sir, for your most kindly suggestion. I will endeavour to escape from the vicious atmosphere by which the debate upon this Bill has been surrounded. I propose to deal, first, with the Bill itself, and then with the remarks of honorable members opposite regarding the actions of the AttorneyGeneral (Mr. Hughes) under the War Precautions Act. I regret that the honorable member for Cook (Mr. Catts) is not present. He said this afternoon that the actions of the Attorney-General under the War Precautions Act were more contemptible than anything done by Germany.

Mr Yates - He is a good man!

Mr JOWETT - The honorable and gallant member may think that the honorable member for Cook is a good man. The honorable member for Cook will be to honorable members opposite like the old man of the sea to Sinbad the Sailor. He is around .their neck, and they' cannot get rid of him; and they cannot rid themselves, in the eyes of the people of a share in the responsibility for the vile, atrocious, and disloyal remarks that honorable member has made.

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