SCENE IN THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2579, 29 September 1915, Page 5

SCENE IN THE HOUSE

MR. T. M. WILFORD SUSPENDED DISOBEYING THE SPEAKER Tho member for Hutt (Mr. T. M Wilford) was suspended by the vote of the House of Representatives early yesterday afternoon for the remainder of the , afternoon session because he refused to obey the direction of Mr. Speaker to withdraw unconditionally an unparliamentary expression. Mr.- Wilford asked a question of tho Minister of Defence. "I wish to ask the Minister of Defence," he said, "whether in his opinion it is necessary that another' hospital ship should bo equipped aud sent forward. If so, will not the Government do it at onco illStead of waiting for public subscriptions? I ask the Minister also whether lie does not think the-'time has come ill regard to such works—necessary projects—when the State should undertako them and allow tlie whole of the peoplo who pay taxes to contribute to tho cost of them—the cost of that ship. My experience is that those who give keep on giving. There is no end to it.'. . The Minister of Defence replied: I do think the time has arrived for smother hospital ship to go. The New Zealand Government has offered another hospital ship, and the Marama has been engaged. I presume that the work offitting her up has been started. The ship is larger by from 1000 to 1500 tons than the Maheno, and will carry 500 beds instead of, about 350. The charter is practically fixed up. With regard to the cost the people of the country will have an opportunity of paying their share of the cost of fitting up tlw Marama. The whole cost of this will be borne by the New Zealand Government, also the Vhole cost of tho charter, and the whole cost of running. His Excellency the Governor desired to lead a- patriotic movement to provide hospital equipment for the •,ship. . . '. His Excellency already has money in hand. The busy fingers of the women of New Zealand are occupied, and very willingly occupied, in preparing material for this ship, and I should hesitate, t should be very loth indeed, to take away from the women'of the country this opportunity, of doing a service to the Empire.:Mr ; . Wilford; There you are with your dirty , answers again. .

Galled Upon -to Withdraw. Mr. Speaker : I must ask the honour' able gejitleman to withdraw that expression. ,It is unparliamentary. Mr. Wilford: Then I do withdraw it. I will substitute the word "typical," Mr. Speaker: The honourable gentleman is -still not in order. .Ho must withdraw his remark unreservedly. . Mr. Wilford: I'decline to do so. Mr. Speaker: Then I must namo the ■honourable gentleman and call upon the Prime Minister. Mr. iMassey said that he regretted the incident, but the ruling' of Mr. Speaker had to be obeyed by every member of the House, from the Prime Minister downwards.' . . Eight - or wrong Mr. Speaker had. to be obeyed, and in his opinion Mr. Speaker was right on this occasionMr. Speaker ordered, that the objectionable expression should be . withdrawn unreservedly. ' : ■ Mr. Wilford said he made use of the words, "dirty answer," on 'the spur of' the moment, and he withdrew them unreservedly, substituting-, '.'typical" for dirty ; " and he declined, to withdraw "typical." . '

. Motlqii for'.Suspension. The Prime Minister, after somo further discussion, expressed regret at what had occurred, and he 'lioped the 'member for Hutt would see his way,to wilhclraw. The number; he said, had disobeyed the ruling of' the Chair, and' there was only one course for him to. adopt. " He would move that the member for Hutt should bo suspended for the -remainder of the sitting. . ■ Messrs. G. Witty (Riccarton), H. G. Ell (Christchurch South), 'and: J;. Co'lvin (Buller) expressed the opinion that' the punishment-was too severe. ; . Mr. .J, T. M. Hornsby (Wairarapa) said that in his opinion the hasty rer mark of the member for Hutt was provoked by!,the Minister. When a Minister gave a reply of that nature it was very hard for any man to " submit. Again . and 'again it' had happened in the House that only by 'the; narrowest margin had this sort of scene been obviated. He thought that in the circumstances the resolution of . the Prime Minister ought to bo withdrawn. ' "vSir,.-' Joseph . '.Ward : (Minister . of Finance) , said ho -was one of those who believed' that; it was absolutely essential that the rulings of the Speaker, whether right ,or wrong should be obeyed. He would, however/, suggest that the motion; be modified merely t<> record' the displeasure of the House, with the refusal of the., member for 'Hutt- to • withdraw his unparliamentary" remark, and to censure theimember accordingly. , If the ■Prime.'Minister did' not approve of. this .'- suggestion, then he would suggest;that;the.term of suspension should bei: 'for,. ; i'h'e -.afternoon sitting only. ... ; ... . ,y Mr. Speaker, after.' traversing the case generally, said -ho, hail twice asked the honorable "member, unconditionally, but., the member' had refused/ '■ ' 1 - ' :The'Primei Minister said that in 'ac-

cordartee with the suggestion of tho Minister of Finance, ho would amend his motion, and would move simply that tho member for Hutt bo suspended for the afternoon sitting or until ho withdrew unconditionally his unparliamentary expression. Mr. Massey then moved his amended motion.

Still 'Another Chance. ■ Mr. Speaker asked tho_ Leader of tho House whether it' was his wish that before tho motion was put the member for Hutt should be given another opportunity of withdrawing. Mr. Massey replied "Yes," and Mr. Wilford returned to the Chamber. Mr. Spoaker said he had to inform the honourable, member for Hutt that another opportunity had been afforded him of withdrawing unconditionally certain unparliamentary words he had used. He reminded the member for Hutt that* the rule was that when a member was asked to withdraw an uik parliamentary expression he must withdraw unreservedly. Mr. Wilford again declined to withdraw, and retired from the Chamber. The motion that tho "member' for Hutt bo suspended for tho afternoon session was then put to the House. A division was called, but the motion was carried by 40 votes to 17.