PARLIAMENTARY SENSATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 August 1929, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY SENSATION

MR. ATMORE’S LOBBY REMARK

RESENTED BY MEMBER

(Special to “Star.")

WELLINGTON, August 30. Words exchanged in the lobby of the House after its rising last night, between Mr Samuel and Mr Atmore, induced Mi- Samuel, at this morning’s sitting, to raise ■ the question of a breach of privileg and seek to have the Minister’s allegations fully threshed out. 1 Mr Samuel declared that he had been slandered, by the Minister, Mr Atmore having remarked, in response to a jocular remark that he would tell the people something about Samuel in Egypt. Mr Samuel took this as a direct reflection on his military career, which was open for the world to see. If a Member was insulted by another in the lobby, Parliament would soon become a place unfit to live in. He had his family to consider, and he was not go:, ing to have such an imputation made against him by any member. If the remark I’-'d been made outside the House he would know how to deal with it. Mr Atmore referred to the charge of literary piracy made against him by Mr Samuel on the previous evening, and was promptly called to order by the Speaker. Mr Atmore’s version of the incident in the lobbv was that he had remarked “Hullo, Samuel,” whereupon Mr Samuel replied : “Don’t be too hard on me when you reply.” Mr Atmore said he had replied, cbaffingly : “I will tell you. something about Egypt.” He described Mr Samuel’s motion as simply a. party trick. It would take more than Mr Samuel to frighten him either inside or outside the House. The Minister said he had said nothing slanderous. He had nothing to retract. A lehgthy discussion ensued, in the course of which it was said that the Minister had aggravated his offence by suggesting that if Mr Samuel knew of something in Egypt, that he was not proml of, he (Atmore) did not.. An amendment was carried for the adjournment of the debate until Tuesday, to enable the Members concerned to'have time to adjust their difference, if possible.