"OUTRAGEOUS."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 986, 29 November 1910, Page 5

"OUTRAGEOUS."

WARM WORDS IN THE HOUSE. PREMIER ANGRY.; MR. HOGQ .SIITS BACK HARD There wero several sharp passages in tho House of Representatives yesterday morning during the discussion on tho amendments mado by tho Legislative Council in tho Education Reserves Amendment Bill, tho object of which, in brief, is to transfer the control of all education reserves from tho boards of school commissioners to the various land boards. Upon the Prime Minister moving that the amendments made by the Council bo agreed with there arose a gen- j eral discussion on the proposals. i Mr. Hogg (Masterton) referred to tho j position, of the secretary to tho Wellington Board of Commissioners. Would this ! official suffer in the matter of superan- | nuation? The Prime Minister had evidently thought that there would.be little or no discussion on his motion. "Why delay tho business?" ho interjected. He added that he had already .made a public announcement on the subject. If there was to be so much delay ho might reconsider the matter. ' Mr. Russell (Avon) dealt at length with . tho principle under which in his opinion. education reserves should be held. Auric 1 ; much laughter he declared that hewould fight for these principles as long as bo had a drop of blood in his body. • Tho Hon. R. M*Kenzie: Is this what you want morning sittings for? Mr. Russell: There are no people in the galleries. . The Hon. R. MTfenzie: Not your fsvalt! Mr. Russell: Well, I am not so foad of the gallery ns you arc, and I don't afford their occupants so much enjoyment. (Oh's, and laughter.) Mr. Allen (Bruce) moved as an amendment that the:.amendments made by tho Legislative. Council be disagreed with- on the ground that they were a fhst step in the direction of pooling the wide of the proceeds from the reserves. Again Mr. Hogg rose to speak. He Tegretted that thero was to be a: chaaigcof control of the reserves. Mr. Russell, raised a point of order. Had not Mr. Hogg already spoken? Mr. Hogg: I am now speaking to the amendment. (Warmly): Mr. Ttussell ' knowsinothing about tho Standing Orders. (Laughter.) . The Prime Minister: It is quite evident that wo are not going to have muorrworS: done. •■ • , - Mr. Hogg,' at tho conclusion of hs speech: strongly resented what he termed, tho Prime Minister's threats. "Tho Prime. Minister," he said, "has muds. use. of threats. Let me tell him lam 7*t in the filiefttest degree affected or likely to bo affected by any threat ho cm make or any statement he can make, and I trust tho members of this House will rise, in their, dignity and resent thk method of threatening. (Hear, hew.) It id simply outrageous. I have heard it wi several occasions, and I don't think members should take it quietly. As far 'as I am concerned, he can spare himself in intnre, because I don't caTd a pin's point for any threat .he may make. Ho can threaten as much as he likes, cart it. will never have the slightest scintilla of effect with me: I-trust that other hnmonraole members will exhibit tho samo spirit' of independence." Mr. Massey: There's one for,you. The amendment was rejected by. 37 votes to 23. Speaking later, flie Premier said, with warmth, that tlio House had met that morning, he understood, to tirmsact some business. In view of the delv.y thai had taken place, ho was not goiijc; on with the Public WoTks Statement, that, night, because the Government could root, curryout what was intended to 1» doite. ...Tae Government work woiild'/Tiavo to go on.After they had .got through partion, of the Government business nerf day (today), the Hine debate could' en on. The Public Works Statement "could ivn.it til! Wednesday.. Tn the conrfo of furthor remarks, 4b* Premier doniect cftat ho had ' threatenod Mr. Hogg, and again expressed his disappointment at tho delay that had taken place. • " .' ' The Bill was then put through its final stages. "Suspicious," Q Some hot words again occurred. at the j evening sitting. "Ton perhaps think that there isKorcething improper in .the Washing--?? Bin." commented tho Prime. Minister in. reply to a. request by Mr. Massey that tho Bill should be explained. . ' Mr. Massey: There may be. Sir Joseph Ward: You are tocsuspicious. Mr. Massey: Oh. no. . ■ v Sir Joseph Ward: Bnt your suspicions ara never realised. . Mr.'Master: My .suspicions ore nearly always realised where vou are concerned. Sir Josr.ph Ward: I think -my suspicions about you have always been realised. Mr. Massey: If yon have any suspicions about me I hope you will give expression to any suspicions you have 'me. Sir Joseph' Ward: I wonlit not have anv lip«.itn.tion if it ware ueeojsary. "Well, do it now." rejoined Mr. Mnssev, but Sir Joseph Ward allowed the subject to drop. Against Rushing Tactics. A strong protest was uttered by Mr. Massey on another occasion against the largo number of Bills which tho Government are attempting to press tlconsh at this late stago of the session. ... "This House," he said, "seems to bo prepared to swallow a:-- thing; prepared to put anything throiigu, so long as the Prime Minister will let them away on Saturday. ■If these tactics are to bo. adopted" this session will not end on Saturday. The Primo Minister is playin<r with'tho Honse. He has played with it from the first day of the session. It is just about time this House asserted itself." The Bill before the House.at th« time was the Native "Washine-np" Bill, and tho Minister in charge (tho Hon. A. T. Ngata) had declined to explain the Bill until tho Committee etage was reached.