LIVELY TIMES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 276, 19 November 1913, Page 9

LIVELY TIMES.

MR WXLTOKD TS TROTJBEE. "WHAT A LOT OF NONSENSE!" 3y Telegraph.—Parliamentary Eeporter.) W__I__INGTON, Tuesday. A lively passage-at-arms between the Chairman of Committees (Mr A. S. Malcolm) and the member for Hutt (Mr Wilford I interrupted Committee proceedings in the House of Representatives to-night. It turned out to be a misunderstanding, but at first took serious shape. Tne Prime Minister, responding to repeated invitations to explain The sessional programme, mentioned, among many other items, a bill to set aside £25,----000 for providing cold storage for fruit. '"Would that not be better in election year?'' smilingly queried Mr Wilford. The Prime .Minister: We don't do that on this side of the House. We don't purchase votes in that yvay. Mr Wilford: I know what you are doing in connection with the Advances Office. The Prime Minister: You cannot prove that we are doing anything wrong. If you know anything, I challenge you to prove it. AN UPROAR. Mr Wilford: Si. down, and I will. The Prime Minister kept on speaking. but Mr Wilford remained standing and Government members loudly shouted advice to him to resume his seat. It required the full strength of Mr Malcolm's voice to make the call for order heard. When he succeeded, he severely declared that members ought to observe the rules of conduct. He was very much surprised to see the member for Hutt on his feet when another member was talking, and he trusted Mr Wilford would not repeat such conduct. It was grossly disorderly. The Hon. Heaton Rhodes: He is squashed. Mr Malcolm: I heard the hon. member for Hutt say "What a Io; of non.-eii=e." 1 ask him to withdraw and apologise. Mr Wilford: 1 decline to do cither. Mr Malcolm: Then I shall ask the Clerk to call the Speaker. Mr Speaker h-aving takan the chair, Mr Malcolm I Chairman ot" Committee) explained the circumstances, stating that he could quite easily hear .Mr Wilford use the objectionable phrase. "What a lot of nonsense." -Mr Wilford declared the t he did not make the re-nark, to the chair. He spoke to his neighbour (Dr Te I'.mgihiroaj. and hi- meaning was that the Prime Minister was talking a lot of nonsense, i Government members laughed heartily.) "Surely members will allow 'a member to defend himself." continued Mr Wilford. whose expian-.iiion was h"rr.o out by Dr Te Rangihirou. On the other hand, the Hon. Mr Fisher coutended that the remark was directed at the chair. .Mr Wilford. wtien called to withdraw -and apologise, said "I decline to do eith.-r." sat down, and then said "What a lut of non.-en?e." .Sir Joseph Ward suggested that when the member for Hutt made a statement which was borne out by a member who eat alongside him, his explanation should be accepted. There must be a doubt about it. Mr-Speaker ruled that, as the Chairman of Committees had called Mr Wilford's attention to a remark, he should have explained the circumstances to the Chairman. Mr Wilford: I never had a chance. Mr Speaker added that as Mr Wilford asured him no disrespect was intended, he must accept this statement. The dignity of the chairmanship must be upheld, and it was unfortunate that the explunation had not been made earlier and the trouble saved.