PARLIAMENT

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 1906, 23 October 1912, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSES IN SESSION.

FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, October 22. IN THE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. The Public Service Bill was recommitted for the purpose of making a number of amendments, all of which were of a technical character, save that in clause 12 it was thought desirable to provMe the Government should inspect Departments before the Commissioner entered upon his duties. The original clause provided that the Commissioner himself should inspect. Clause 37, requiring a spoarato examination to be held for the professional and clerical divisions, was deleted, and the Bill was reported as amended. The Hon. Mr Bell moved the second reading of the Defence Bill, passed by tho House. Ho said an effort had been made to meet the difficulties of the religious objector as far as possible, and ho hoped members would ■ recognise that these objectors could ibe accommodated with ambulance duty.

After a brief discussion the second reading was carried on the voices. The Widow's Pension Bill and the Taieri Land Drainage Bill were read a second time. The Council rose. IN THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30. THE IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY. The Premier moved to set up a Select Committee to consider a petition from F .W. Haybittle and five others regarding the iron and steel industry in the Dominion, the Committee to consist of Messrs Craigie, Eraser, Lee, Malcolm, Noseworthy, McKenzic, Sidey, Yeitch, G. M. Thomson, Wilkinson, Davey, and the mover, and to have power to call for persons and papers, the Committee to report to the House within seven days. The Government had no intention of introducing legislation on the matter this session, he said, but he understood that some important evidence was available, and would lie put before the Committee. The motion was carried. THE HINE-WARD INCIDENT. SIR JOSEPH WARD CENSURED. Mr Hine presented the report of the Public Accounts Committee, stating that Sir Joseph Ward had refused to withdraw the words complained of at the Committee's meeting on Friday evening. Sir Joseph Ward detailed what had

occurred that morning at the Committee meeting. He stated that the official record was incomplete. At Mr Allen's instance the report was altereu. Every member of the Committee who had attempted to speak on the resolution of the House had been ruled out of order with a rod of iron, and rendered absolutely dumb. He desired to say he had no personal grievance against the Chairman of the Committee. He was sorry for what had occurred, but he could not withdraw his words. He contended the Chairman's attitude was hostile throughout the proceedings, and was contrary to conciliation. He asked the Speaker's ruling whether tho Chairman had power to rule that the House's resolution could not be discussed. The Speaker ruled that the Chairman's word was final. The Hon. Mr Allen said the only consideration before the Committee was whether Sir Joseph Ward would withdraw his words. Sir Joseph Ward, continuing, said the resolution of the House had never been before the Committee. The extract of the evidence put before the House last night was incomplete, and had been amplified at the instance of the Minister-in-Charge of the Committee. If party prejudice was to be carried so far as to cause a false basis on which to proceed against a public man then there was a poor look-out for a public man in New Zealand. Fortunately there was public opinion beyond the House which would see that fair play was dealt out to all. Mr Hanan said the gag had been applied to Messrs Craigie, Myers, himself, and others. The proceedings of the Committee had been carried out on the Star Chamber system. The Hon. Mr Allen said if it was alleged the Chairman was unduly strict there was no doubt feeling was manifested because of his actions in Parliament. Sir Joseph Ward: That is nonsense. The Hon. Mr Allen: "It is all very well to say that, but I know it is so." He contended that the right thing to do was to withdraw. Nobody could uphold Sir Joseph Ward's attitude for one moment. If he withdrew he could then challenge the Chairman's ruling by resolution. He thought the Chairman had behaved himself well right through the hearing. If Sir Joseph \Vard would withdraw he was sure Mr Hine would meet him in a generous manner. Right or wrong the Chairman had to be upheld. Messrs Colvin, Hindmarsh, and Russell continued the debate till the dinner adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Witty continued the debate en the Public Accounts Committee report. He thought it was a pity the chairman of the committee had not met Sir Joesph Ward half way. The House had not had an opportunity of considering what had led up to the retort of Sir Joseph Ward. They had no right to pass a resolution condemning Sir Joseph Ward for what ho had done, considering the way in which matters had been conducted. Mr Ell said the chairman's question was one that really ought not to have been taken exception to. Mr Hanan: It showed what he had in his mind. Mr Lee: Sir Joseph Ward could not take offence at words passing in the chairman's mind. The question they had to consider was whether they were to close tho door to order and open it to chaos. There was no doubt but tho words should be withdrawn. Mr Isitt said Mr Lee wanted his pound of flesh. The remark made by j the chairman of the committee meant either that Sir Joseph Ward had suggested a falsehood, or suppressed the truth. Ho thought that if the chairman of tho committee would rise up and state that he bad gone too far, he was sure that the member for Awarua would then act accordingly. Dr. Newman considered the* whole thing was sordid and squalid. Messrs Myers, Forbes, Pearce, Ell and McCallum continued the debate, the last-named stating that Sir Joseph Ward would be justified in going to prison rather than withdrawing his statement. Mr Fisher defended the action of Mr Hine. Mr Hine said he had ruled in committee that before any reconsideration of the report of the committee took place, the remarks made by Sir .Joseph Ward must be withdrawn". Ho himself had shown no heat, and, he added, "when the volcano burst I was thunderstruck. There was nothing in Imy manner to imply irritation or of- [ fensiveness." No challenge of his conduct had been made. He weiit on to j say, . "If Sir Joseph Ward does the ! honourable thing, he will not find me lacking in doing my share." Sir Joseph Ward: "What does ho mean by that? If lie docs not think he was offensive, then ho "does not know what offonsiveness is." Continuing, Sir Joseph \\ ard said he could not see his way to withdraw his words. He looked upon tho chairman's request as a personal insult, and, as a result, used the words complained of. Ho would rather be censured bj T tho House than withdraw them. The chairman of tho committee went out of his way to ho offensive to him. He now submitted himself to any judgment the House might pronounce. Sir Joseph Ward then retired. Mr Massey regretted having to movo a resolution in connection with tho incident, though he would do the samo thing if it affected a member of his own party. He moved that this House expresses regret that the right hon. member for Awarua has . not thought proper to withdraw tho words taken down and reported to the House by tho Public Accounts Committee, Mr Robertson moved as an amendment that the House, while recognising that it is tho duty of a member to withdraw any„ expression ruled to bo unparliamentary, considers that in this case tho circumstances wore such as to warrant the House in proceeding no further in the matter.

Mr Veitch, in seconding the motion, said, to use a colloquialism, Sir Joseph Ward was in a ditch, and it was not' fair to put their feet on his neck. The amendment was not intended as a reflection on the chairman of the committee, but had been put forward by the Independent Party in the House on its own volition, the object being to settle the matter amicably. Mr Mclvenzie expressed surprise, regret and dissatisfaction with the attitude of the Government. He did not think a half-hearted amendment would be acceptable to Sir Joseph Ward. He believed the incident would redound to the credit of Sir Joseph Ward. Mr Robertson's amendment was lost by 3S to 33. _ After midnight the Premier's motion was put, and carried by 39 to 32 The Speaker requested the Sergeant-at-Arms to request tho attendance of the member for Awarua. When Sir Joseph Ward entered, he was greeted with applause from the Opposition. The Speaker read the resolution to him. Sir Joseph Ward said had lie not felt deeply that an insult had been levelled at him, he would never have taken tho firm and consistent stand he had taken Had Mr Hino stated that he had not intended to be offensive, he would have withdrawn. Heaccepted the censure from the standpoint of making a strong protest against the partial conduct of the chairman. He thanked those who had spoken on his behalf. He accepted the decision with equanimity. BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION. The Births and Deaths Registration "." ™ Passed, and the House rose at 12.00 a.m.