HOT WORDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 170, 19 July 1924, Page 7

HOT WORDS.

PREMIER AND MR. WILFORD. "WHAT A FARCE IT IS." (Bj Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. "What a farce it is!" exclaimed Mr. T. M. Wilford, after Mr. Holland had protested that the House was entitled to have an opportunity to examine and discuss the important report of the Timber Royalties Commission, which the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes asked leave to lay on the table. "What a farce it is!" said the leader of the Opposition. "The Minister has had that report for two or three weeks, and he lays it on the table without telling the House one word about it in so doing. I say he fails in his duty." The Hon. Sir R. H. Rhodes: It is not my duty. Mr. Wilford: That is my opinion. Sir R. H. Rhodes: And I shall keep my opinion. Mr. Wilford: I absolutely believe it is the Minister's duty to tell the House something about the report he brings down, but what do we find with every report? They are laid on the table, although dealing with important matters upon which members might throw some Jijjht. This move is taken to present discussion, but I do not think that will be done this afternoon. Mr. Massey: Are you going to prevent it? Mr. Wilford: Everybody is interested —every worker, every local body. Mr. Maesey: Are you talking it out? Mr. Wilford: I am not going to be interrupted by the Prime Minister. Mr. Massey (warmly): Oh, are you not? Mr. Wilford: And if 1 find the Prime Minister is going to attempt to interrupt Mr. Speaker: I will protect the hon. member. Mr. Wilford: I know j'ou will protect mc. I thank you. Everybody is interested, but what has been the performance here to-day? Mr. Massey: Hear, hear. Mr. Wilford said that if others protested with him they would wake the country to the fact that the Government was burking discussion on their reports. Air. Massey: The hon. gentleman has wasted a quarter of an hour. Mr. Wilford: Exaggeration! Mr. Massey: Not so much exaggeration as the hon. member indulges in. Mr. Wilford: Fifty per cent. Mr. Massey: He has wasted the time of the House in an attempt to scold. He is becoming an habitual scolder; his temper and manner have changed within the past few months; he 13 quite different from what he used to be. Mr. Speaker: Order. Mr. Massey: But he cannot make the House believe we are trying to block discussion. Mr. Wilford: Certainly. Mr. Massey: We are doing nothing of the sort. Mr. Wilford: I doubt it. Mr. Massey: Of course he doubts it; he is a doubting Thomas. The Prime Minister declared he had intended to give members an opportunity later to discuss all the important reports. Mr. Wilford: Wliy did you not say so before. Mr. Massey: You blocked my way. Air. Geo. Forbes declared that it was only after the protest that Mr. Maseey had made the concession. Mr. Massey (warmly: That is grossly unfair. The report was then laid on the table.