SHARP WORDS

Evening Star, Issue 22802, 10 November 1937, Page 13

SHARP WORDS

PREMIER AND l-X-PREMIER “TIN POT" POINT OF ORBER [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, November 9. Sharp words were exchanged across the floor of the House by the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, and a former Prime Minister, Mr Coates,' this afternoon, providing a lively episode in the discussion on the Defence Estimates. Short and sharp, the scene came as a sequel to an appeal made ‘by the Chairman of Committees, Mr Howard, for the elimination of policy from the discussion. Mr Howard bad pointed out that the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, in his reply, departed from the Estimates to discuss policy issues. It would assist business if members would confine them,solve to the items provided in the Estimates. ■

Part of the Minister’s reply dealt with the pay of the land, forces. He said the present position was a legacy to the present Government from 'the past. v Rising to a point of order, Mr Coates said the present Government had been in office two years. That was time enough for it to have adjusted rates of pay in the defence forces. The Minister should take the responsibility that was clearly his. Mr Coates was still on his feet when the Prime Minister rose to ask whether Mr Coates was going to be allowed to discuss the Government’s policy, particularly after the appeal made by the chairman.

Mr Coates; I’m going to deny responsibility for the present position, (joint of order by the Prime Minister or no point of order. Air Savage: You have defied the chair. I want to assist the House.

Mr Coates: I’m perfectly willing to help the House all I can, but I’m going to stress the point that the Government is responsible for the rates of pay in the army. Air Savage: Rubbish. Air Coates: Everyone speaks rubbish in this House but the Prime Alinister. Air Savage: The Opposition has talked a lot of rubbish that I’m not going to sit here all day and listen to. Mr Coates: I get up to stress a simple point, and the Prime Alinister has to interrupt with his tin-pot little point of order to gag the House. Air Savage: I’ll have a resolution to move in a minute if this does not stop. Air Coates: Alore gag! I don’t care what the Prime Alinister does. I’ve made my point and I’m satisfied.