"UNFAIRLY PUNISHED."

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 235, 5 October 1927, Page 8

"UNFAIRLY PUNISHED."

MEMBER FOR WAITEMATA. DROPPED AS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. , GOVERNMENT'S METHODS CRITICISED. (By Telegraph. — Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Non-Reform members expressed their opinions concerning the dropping of Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) as chairman of the Industries and Commerce Committee, in the House this afternoon, when the newly-elected chairman of that committee presented a resolution expressing the committee's high appreciation of Mr. Harris' services. An extraordinary line of action had been taken by the Government, in the opinion of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland). It was surely a most dangerous thing for the Government to drop a mejnber from a committee simply because that member had taken up a certain line of poKcy differing from that of the Government. "I do think it is a matter that concerns every member of this House," continued Mr. Holland, "because if the Government takes that course with a Government member —and a front bench member at that— it seems fair to assume tliat an Opposition member who made himself objection-

able might be left off all committees. It is right that the country's attention should be called to this matter, because no matter what line of action a member takes up in the House he should not be taken off a.committee." As far as Mr. Holland knew, the member for Waitemata had filled the position of chairman with a good deal of ability. "Punished in an Unfair Way." "It is not often that we have a resolution of this kind brought forward during the session—such resolutions usually come at the end of the session, when the committee has disbanded," said the leader of the Nationalist party (Mr. G. W. Forbes). The resolution seemed to indicate that the committee as a whole were not in-accord with what had been done, and the Government's attitude. The resolution showed that the committee was of opinion that the had done excellent work. "I do not think it is wise for the Government to attempt to dragoon members into doing what the Government wants—members should be allowed to exercise a little discretion. In this case, the member for Waitemata was right and the Prime Minister was wrong. In doing what he did last session, the member for Waitemata claimed that he bad the interests of his constituents and that his constituents were behind him. I think the whole House would have resented it had the member for Waitemata been left off the committee altogether." A Political Epitaph. That the resolution read like an epitaph, was the opinion of Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central). At the end of the 192G session there had been the usual resolution concerning the chairman of the committee, and now came this resolution. It would have been more appropriate had it read: "R T P Here lies the political body of the member for Waitemata, the late chairman of the Industries and Commerce Committee. Died 1927, from over and misguided zeai on behalf of his constituents." (Laughter). Mr. Fraser thought it must be great consolation to the member for Waitemata to know that a memorial had been erected to his memory after he had been thrown out and politicallv executed. The member for Wellington Central had not been quite fair to the member for \\ aitemata, in the opinion of Mr H. Atmore (Nelson). The indictment Mas against the Government—not against the member. " The Halo of Martyrdom." Although the member for Waitemata had been surrounded by the halo of martyrdom it was possible that memmight yet see him wearing the ministerial crown of glory, said Mr. F N. Bartram (Grey Lynn). There were four Reform members present at the meeting when the new chairman was elected, continued Mr. Bartram, and when the question was discussed he did not say anything, as he regarded the matter as a party squabble. However, since then, he had regretted that he did not record his protest against what he considered unfair treatment. For more than a Week the new chairman had been carrying round his neck an epitaph in respect of the ex-chairman, and he had what to do with it. (LaughDisappointed But Still Keen. There was a round of handclapping on the Labour and Nationalist benches when Mr. Harris rose. Speaking tfith much restraint, he said he had to thank all who had made complimentary references to his work. He valued the resolution, because it was unanimous, and he believed it expressed the feelings of the committee members. He would, of course, be less than human if he did not feel disappointed at losing the chairmanship, after holding it since the inception of the committee in 1923. Despite this, he would continue to take an interest in the committee's work. He had! never missed a meeting since the committee was formed. The committee had done good work, and every member had been loyal and actively interested, inough no longer chairman, he hoped to be of value in his more humble capacity.

'•I think everyone party warfare and tactics W|fthe little scene staged order to show the a party they think is bein^ began the Prime MiniaW Loates), in replying. the matter was not what had made it. The member I mata had the respect of ents and associate? in the Am v decided upon an indepeodSHHßß action, and he was entittrfllSHfe that course. He was entitwMlflpff--shackles. opiJ "° B > mii r ' Ha / ri3: pledge, of course. . Mr. Coates: Exactlv. for the hon. gentleman, of suggest tfiat the Government went out of its way to ~ Hassis' accession to ridiculous. Some time V* for YY aitemata had accused ment of being complicated guilty of—passing legislation tCaSS? its friends. He had tIl « government with corruption/^,. Lntil the statement made bv ; ber for Waitemata had been it was not possible for the PriniewS? ter, nor for the Government, to «2!!» : its attitude. If the hon. %&££ cnose to take up an oi action that was his business.' other, but he would the Government had sndi * SS&-' majority it was entitled to cfoitfPf" chairman who was a sapporfo*lM| Mr. Girling (Wairau), In marked that he did not wi& to"£«i? much on the situation. He kneir'i2P ing of what was proposed clerk of the committee illations, and his was the only submitted. Members bad mentary over the capabilities Harris, and they were quite right fL-'. Prime Minister had reason for the change, nothing cut and dried about it<m part or that of any member of 1L # Reform party. ',^§B^'*; The committee's report