A Little Scene.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 196, 26 August 1901, Page 3

A Little Scene.

In the eourso of a discussion in the House, Mr Monk, in replying to some of Mr HallJones’ remarks, incidentally said ho (Mr Monk) had d' :, uitcd his ‘.£4o amongst the local bodies in his district. Proceeding to denounco the vote, the member for Waitcmata was very much afraid the House was becoming so demoralised that for another .£4O they would have repealed Magna Cliarta. (Loud laughter.) It was exceedingly dangerous for the Premier to attempt to control the functions of the Auditor-General. Mr Monk agreed with Mr Napier that the House was supreme, that they could do anything they liked ; but while they had no written constitution there was another constitution which they should all try to improve, namely, public opinion, and the public opinion amongst thoughtful people was that the Premier s action was a dangerous infringement of public safety and public honesty. The Premier: You took the money and said nothing about it. Mr Fraser (Napier), who spoke with much feeling, said lie thought that wheu a member drew upon his imagination to cast a stigma on members of the House who did not agree with him politically, it was the duty of everyone to throw the lie into his teeth. Mr Monk: Why didn't you take a thousand when you were at it ? Mr Fraser's strong language excited strong dissent among members, and tlie Acting-Speaker called upon him to withdraw.

Mr Monk : No lie. It is a fact. Mr Fraser expressed regret, and withdrew the words he used. Mr Monk: I merely used it metaphorically, and if it tits— Mr Fraser: l'ou accused us of being bribed. Mr Monk: I said “incentive to bribery.” . Mr Fraser : You took it as dishonest oi the Premier to give it. Was it less dishonest to take stolen goods ?

Mr Monk : Did I use it ? Mr Fraser : He says he gave it to the local bodies. He accuses us of bribery, but what did he do but try to bribe nis constituents '} Continuing, Mr Fraser said he was not at liberty to disclose what took place at the caucus, but it had nothing whatever to do with the granting of the UK). , Mr Monk said the hou. member had made statements which were not worthy of being contradicted. Such statements would leave very little impression on those who knew him (Mr Monk) best. With regard to allegation of bribing his constituents. he could hurl it back in the eeth of the person who made it—not in the coarse way he did. but by emphaticallv stating that it was incorrect. Forcible speeches in condemnation of Mr Seddon-s action were also made byMessrs J. Hutcheson, Collins, and G. W. Russell. Mr Collins said it was besmirching the Democracy, and the time would come when the Democracy tvould understand what had been done.