A WRANGLE IN THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1204, 12 August 1911, Page 3

A WRANGLE IN THE HOUSE.

THE HON. Ft. M'KENZIE AND THE : DEPUTATION, TnOSE t TRAM REGULATIONS. Tho experience of tho deputation which waited upon tho Hon. R.-M'Konzio. a few weeks ago in reference to tho draft tramway regulations gnvo rise to a brief pas-sagc-at-arms in Parliament last evening. Tho affair originated in somo light skirmishing between Mr. Fisher and the Minister for Public Works. "I am quite sure," remarked Mr. Fisher, during the Committee discussion upon the Tjiwn-I'luuniiig Hill, "that Iho last deputation which wailed upon the Minister was cut up." "Oh, indeed," said Mr. M'lCoirao, "then you know what happened lo Smith?" "Tho honourable gout lonian knows quite well what happened," remarked Mr. Fisher a liltle later, again referring to tho fate of the deputation. "lie wijiod tho iloor with them," said Mr. Witty, member for Ricearton. "All I can say." rejoined Mr. Fisher, "is that I hope tho lion, gentleman will never treat another deputation in the same way." The 'discussion wandered into other channels for a time, but presently the Minister gave 'another opening. "We rdiall have the plague hero shortly,"' ho remarked in a jocular tone. "We have one already," retorted Mr. Fisher, "as the. City.Council found when they wailed upon the lion, gentleman. 1 •am inclined lo think, from the reception they got, that they aro not going to risk it again." : Soon afterwards Mr. M'lConzie rose to speak, remarking that as ho had been subjected to such a. bombardment of -small artillery, ho had better bring some heavy cannon to bear. He might as well tell the Houso briefly "what happened to Smith." "1 should say," said Mr. M'Keuzie, "that Smith was a very naughty bov. Ho got a confidential State document', a,nd, instead of treating it in an honourable, upright manner, ho published it first, and asked leave afterwards to have the restriction removed." Afterwards, Mr. Smith endeavoured to work up an indignation meeting. Also he had invito! representatives from all over tho country lo attend a conference. These people found that Smith had acted in such a discreditable manner that they refused to sit with him. Mr. M'Kenzie said ho intended to get this story into Hansard somo of these days. As to the charge- that he had rudely kept the deputation waiting for half ail hour, Mr. M'Kenzie staled that ho bad done nothing of tho kind. On the previous evening he had arranged with tho ■Town Clerk to receive the deputation at 10.30 a.m. On the dav in question lie notified the Town Clerk at about 10 o'clock that ho would receive the deputation at 11 o'clock.

"All-that I. iold Smith," said Mr. M'Konzio, "was that he acted'so discreditably in connection with tlio matin- that .1 preferred to havo. somebody clso to have to deal with." What objection had the member for Wellington Central or tlio member for Wellington North, to offer to this? He could give (Hem answers that would make them blush for Smith. An attempt had been made to pet people to attend the indignation meeting in the 'Town Hall by offering a. free concert, with the organ playing. Of this tlio people took not the slightest .notice. There was scarcely anybody there but. the member for Wellington Central (Mr. Fisher)' had attended prepared to move a vote of censure on the Government. Mr. J. P. Luko (Wellington Suburbs) said that the Acting-Mayor'of Wellington had made one mistake in not giving the I regulations to tho Press Association, so as lo make them as widely known as possible. Spite of hostile interjections, Mr. Luke ridiculed the idea that the regulations should have been regarded as. confidential. ' The regulations /might havo been gasiotyot) ~011, Jbe ,31st of I ho* mouth, and nobody have known anything about it. . Mr. M'Jvcnzio: "Who told you they wero to bo gazetted on .Inly HI?" Mr. Luke said that (he letter sent out with the Tcgulations asked that any objections to the regulations should be sent in before July 31. The Minister knew that: this was so. The Ministry;:,"Get out!".,. The City .Council, said Mr. Luke, had declared that,.no, .such disability should be imposed ; upon the people.-"As-lo what tho Minister said about (ho other men not sitting with Smith." said Mr. Luke, "it is an absoluto untruth." Amid interjections and "Ohs," Mr. Luke was asked by the Chairman of Committees (Mr, Colvin) to withdraw this re, mark. He obeyed, and substituted, "absolutely incorrect." Tho Minister again' interrupting, Mr. Luke remarked!—" You nro-n•■Minister of tho Crown, but you «aro "hot' going to browbeat unc.""-~~ '■■"• The Hon. CI. Fowlds at (his stage voso to ask what Mr. Sinilh had' to do with the Town-Planning Bill. Mr. M'Kenzio asked leave to make a personal explanation, but Mr. Colvin ruled (hat "there must be no further reference.'from this out, to Mr. Smith." Mr. M'Konzio made several attempts lo proceed with the subject.' but was repressed by r.i Mr. Colvin. and the House resumed the. interrupted discussion upon the Town-Planning Bill.