AT GRIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 267, 10 November 1937, Page 16

AT GRIPS.

SCENE IN HOUSE.

MR. COATES DEFIANT.

PRIME MINISTER'S THREAT. (By TclPttrnph. — I'nrlinmpntary Iteporter.) WKM.IMJTON', Tuesday. The Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, and » former Prime Minister, Mr. .T. <». (nates (National. Kaipara) were at j?ri)>s in the Hoii'e of Kepresentatives to-day during consideration of the Army I Kstimates. Short ami sharp, the scene was the sequel to an appeal made by the Chairman of Committees, Mr. Howard, for the elimination of poliev from the discussion. He had pointed out that the Minister of Defence. Mr. .lones. had departed from the Kstimates to discuss policy issues. It would assist the business of the House if members would confine themselves to the items contained in the Kstimates," lie said. Part of the MinUter's reply dealt with the pay of t iie land forces, and he said the present position a legacy from the |wist < io\ eminent. Point of Order. Kising to a point of order. Mr. Coatee said the present Government had been in office for two years. That was time enough for it to have adjusted the rates of pay in the defence forces. The Minister should tiike the re«»j>oiisibility that was clearly his. Mr. Coate* was still on his feet when the Prime Minister rose to ask whether Mr. Coates was going to be allowed to discuss the Government's policy, particularly after the appeal ;nade by the Chairman. Mr. C'oate*: I'm jroing to deny responsibility for the present position, point of order by the Prime Minister or no point of order. Mr. Savage: Von have defied the Chair. I want to assist the Houne. Mr. Coates: I'm jx-rfectly willing to help the House all 1 ean, but I'm going to stress the point that the Government is responsible for the ratea of pay in the army. "Rubbish!" Mr. Savage: Kuliliwh! Mr. Coates: Kveryone speaks rubbish in thU House but the Prime Minister. Mr. Savage: The Opposition lias talked a lot of rubbish that I'm not going to sit here all day and listen to. Mr. Coatea: 1 get up to stress a simple point and the Prime Minister ha* to interrupt with his tin-pot little point of order to gag the House. Mr. Savage: I'll have a resolution to move in a minute if this does not stop. Mr. Coatea: More gag! I don't care what the Prime Minister does, I've tuade my point and I'm satisfied.