DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Evening Star, Issue 15929, 8 October 1915, Page 3

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

DPv THACKER “CARPETED” FOR UNPARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE. [Fnoii Our Papxiamentaet Reporter.] WELLINGTON. October 8. Dr Thacker, member for Christchurch East,, was reported by Mr A. S. Malcolm. Chairman of Committee®, in the House of Representatives last evening for “disorderly conduct,” He did nob run amok or anything like that. He referred to the Taranaki representatives ns “fat and greasy citizens.”, and refused to obey the order of the. Chairman to withdraw the unparliamentary expression and apologise for using the words, Ids justification being that the phrase was merely a Shakespearian quotation. The. incident arose out of the opposition of several members to tho Inglewood Borough Endowment Disposal Bill, which gives that borough council authority to sell certain endowments. the measure was in the charge of Mr Obey (Taranahi), who was bombarded with suggestions. The Bill had been defeated early in the day, but owing to an erroneous compilation of the division list the measure was recommitted) on the casting vole of the Chairman. The House went into committee a few minutes before 5.30, the time for the dinner adjournment, the idea being to push it through the final stage without more ado. Mr Obey having compromised with several of the opponents to the Bill. An easy passage to the measure, however, was denied, and the discussion dragged on till 6 o'clock. By this time most of tlie memlxirs were tired of the wrangling, but interest was revived by Dr Thacker, who claimed to ho a. champion of the people, auxin is to preserve their birthright in national endowment land. He called upon Mr Obey to defer consideration, of the Bill for <a year, and remarked that sure-lv tho Taranaki people and their rcprosentatlvea were not hard up, for they were “fat and greasy citizens.” Just here it may lie said, the fat was in the fire, the farming representatives—who have no great love for Dr Thacker, who recently characterised them as "an inert, lazv mob ” —clamoring for a withdrawal of the expression. Tim Chairman (Mr Malcolm./ ordered Dr Thacker to withdraw the expression and apologise. The member for Christchurch East immediately withdrew the words, but refused definitely to apologise. tho Chairman'ruled that Dr Thacker bn reixrrteil for disorderly conduct. Dio Hon. Mr Speaker was summoned, tho House resumed, and (he offence against the. Chair and the surrounding circumstances were repeated accurately by Mr .Malcolm. The Hon. Speaker upheld the Chairman's ruling, pointed out that a, quotation could not lie used offensively against lion, members, and called upon Dr Thacker to obey the Chairman’s ruling. After some haggling and explanations the member for Christchurch East, acting otj the advice of the Prime Minister, expressed regret. He would not apologise, however, but the incident closed.