"STAY OFF-SIDE."

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 8 September 1926, Page 9

"STAY OFF-SIDE."

MINISTER'S REBUKE TO

REFORMER.

MR. HARRIS ROCKS THE BOAT

AND IS "SEVERELY CANED."

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

The member for Waitemata (Mr. A. Harris) was soundly rebuked by the Acting-Prime Minister, Hon. W. Downie Stewart, in the House of Representatives to-night for statements made by him in the course of the debate on the Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill.

Mr. Harris protested against the bill— which he said prejudicially affected the livelihood of thousands of people— being rushed through at this late stage. The committee had recommended that a

Mr. A. Harris. petition from 100,000 people against the proposals in the bill should be favourably received by the Government, yet they had this bill befor the House. The Takapuna Tramways and Ferry Company he said ran a service that was the laughing stock of the district. But for the fact that its managing director was a person who had influence with the Government, he stated, the bill would not have been brought forward in its present shape.

The bill was creating a monopoly to municipalities or private tramway eoncorns, so that they might charge any fares they liked. He expressed a doubt whether tramways provided the cheapest and most effective transport service. That certainly was not the case in his district. The bill did nothing to protect the public in the way of seeing that adequate transport facilitiee were provided. He declared that under the bill special preference was given by the Government to the Takapuna Tramway and Ferry Company by varying the conditions under which the company held its operating rights. The bill would give this company a present of £100,000, and ruin the competing bus system that now rendered good and efficient service. He intended to move in committee several amendments that would render the measure at any rate innocuous until the people had an opportunity to voice their desiree at the next municipal election.

Mr. Harris' speech was followed by a heavy cold douche from the Hon. Downie Stewart (Minister of Finance), who demanded that the Government supporter consider his position. Mr. Stewart declared that he did not question the member's right to criticise the Government, the Motor Bus Committee, or the regulations, but he had no right to criticise the commercial morality of the Government, or to say that in their action they were putting money into the pockets of their friends.

"If the hon. member," said the ActingLeader of the Government, "takes a public opportunity of saying that the Government subordinates the public interest to the private interests of its friends, then I invite him to consider his position, because if he wishes to be 'offside' he should be 'offside' and stay 'offside." The hon. member can make his peace with his Leader if he likes, but while I am only a temporary Leader, I will not tolerate a member of this partj attacking the commercial morality and integrity of the Government, and I ask him that if he intends to pursue that policy he should decide what course tv adopt. If his convictions are genuine, as he says they are, then it is impossible for him to maintain his position and remain in this party."

Mr. Harris received the rebuke in silence, but comment promptly came from a Labour member, Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon), who opened his speech smilingly with the suggestion that the member for Waitemata had effectively "rocked the boat," and after his "severe caning" it would be very interesting to see what would ultimately happen.

RESERVES BIS FREEDOM. STATEMENT BY MR. HARRIS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.! WELLINGTON, this day. Mr. A. Harris proposes to reply in the House to-day to the Finance Minister's castigation. and it is his intention to reserve freedom of action regarding his attendance at Reform party oaurases in future.