LIVELY SCENE IN THE HOUSE

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20997, 27 October 1933, Page 12

LIVELY SCENE IN THE HOUSE

<> INTERPRETATION OF A REMARK LABOUR MEMBERS PROTEST [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 27. The interpretation placed on a remark made by Mr F. Lye (C., Waikato), to the effect that he would like to tell some of the Labour members outside the House what he thought of their speeches, led to a lively scene in the House of Representatives early this morning. His remark drew a running fire of comment from the Opposition benches—not all in very good humour —and several Labour members came into conflict with the Chairman of Committees, Mr S. G. Smith, who was relieving Mr Speaker. The difference arose when Mr Lye said he could not find suitable words to describe some of the speeches made by Labour members. Tf they went outside he would tell them what he had in his mind. There was an immediate protest from the Labour benches, and Mr J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) said tftat Mr Lye was not game enough to carry out his threat. Mr Smith called on Mr Lee to withdraw his remark. Mi Lee: No, sir. . have been threatened by the honourable member. Mr Smith: Order: I shall have to name the honourable member. Mr Lee (jumping up from hisseatl: If the honourable member went outside I should hit him on the nose. Mr Smith again called on him to withdraw the remark, but with warm support from his colleagues Mr Lee said he had 110 intention of withdrawing. Mr Lye had imputed lack of courage on the part of Labour members. Mr Lye: 1 did not impute lack of courage. Mr R. Semple 'Lab.. Wellington East): We don't want any challenges from anybody. Mr Lcc Withdraws. Mr Lee finally agreed to withdraw the remark "It I said it." Mr Semple continued to interject when Air W. E. Parry (Lab.. Auckland Central) rose to a point of order. "If you want rough stuff you will get it," said Mr Semple. "You can cut out the rough stuff here." Mr Parry suggested that Mr Lye should be asked to withdraw his threat, because, he said. "[ feel very, very scared about it. It is having a bad effect on me." Mr Lye said he had made no suggestion of a threat, and had no intention of making one. Mr Semple: Where have you been? You look a bit rattled. Mr Lye went on to say that there was 110 need for the member for Auckland Central to be frightened. He did not feel in a warlike mood. Mr Parry (ironically): Then that is all right. Mr Lye: There is no need for the honourable member to get frightened. Mr P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central): Make it weight for weight.