Interjections sour Mr Taiboys’ speech

Press, 2 September 1981, Page 6

Interjections sour Mr Taiboys’ speech

PA Wellington Interjections by a Labour member of Parliament, Dr M. E. R. Bassett (Te Atatu) cast a sour note over a valedictory speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Taiboys) in the House of Representatives last evening. Mr Taiboys was summarising at the end of consideration of the foreign affairs vote in his last Estimates debate after 24 years in the House. He was responding to praise from both sides of the House for his service in the portfolio, and paying tribute to New Zealand officials serving their country overseas. Dr Bassett made a remark

which drew this retort from Mr Taiboys: “For God’s sake, do you have to stay here?” Dr Bassett replied: “You’re speaking in our time.” .■ Mr Taiboys was visibly , upset and interrupted his final comments, saying that after the Te Atatu member’s comments he would merely let the Foreign Affairs estimates go through. He left his chair and said in Dr Bassett’s direction: “To hell with you.” Mr P. I. Wilkinson (Nat., Kaipara) later said Dr Bassett ’ had behaved like a schoolboy. Comments had come in the debate from Labour, Social Credit, and National mem- , bers in praise of Mr Taiboys’ service.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) wished the Minister a very happy and fulfilling retirement. The former Labour Minister of Overseas Trade, Mr J. A. Walding (Palmerston North), said Mr Taiboys had done a good job for New Zealand, and he thanked him for his efforts. Mr C. R. Marshall (Lab., Wanganui) said Mr Taiboys would not score cheap, domestic political points at the expense of enlightened foreign policy. Mr G. T. Knapp (Social Credit, East Coast Bays) was another to pay tribute to Mr Taiboys, and Mr Wilkinson acknowledged his work as a trade negotiator for New Zealand in Europe.