ALLEGED SUNDAY DEPUTATIONS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13157, 2 July 1908, Page 3

ALLEGED SUNDAY DEPUTATIONS.

(special to "the phess.")

WELLINGTON, July 1

In his on the Governor's speech in the Hoilse of Representatives this afternoon, Mt James Allen referred briefly to the recent peregrinations of the Premier, and hinted that Sir Joseph Ward had received a deputation when in his (Mr Allen's) electorate on a Sunday, and though lie did not blame Sir Joseph Ward for the omission, he thought he, as member for the district, had had a right to be asked to be present.

The Prime Minister: Do you suggest that I-received a deputation on a Sunday} 1 . :,-".-'

Mr Allen: I was informed you received a deputation on Sunday. I was in ""the town at the time, and was not invited to bo present. The Prime Minister: I didn't receive a deputation on Sunday as far as I know. Sir Joseph added that ho thought the hon. gentleman ought, in fairness to his constituents, to say what he meant. He had not received a deputation on a Sunday. Ho had, ho believed, seen some men in connection -with the Kaitangata mine on a Sunday, certainly, but it was not a deputation, and he had refused consistently to do business on Sunday. (Hoar, hear.) Mr Allen said he had been' informed that another deputation had seen the Premier. The chairman of the County Council was present at it. Tlie Prime Minister,: I would bo glad if the hon. member would say what the deputation was. Mr Allen : I wasn't there. The Prime Minister: The chairman of the County Council did not wait upon mc in connection with Kaitangata matters on the Sunday. Mr Allen: I was informed so, but I might be wrong. However, lam not making a great point of the matter.