SCENE IN THE UPPER HOUSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2194, 25 September 1907, Page 1

SCENE IN THE UPPER HOUSE.

HON. AVI PERE INDIGNANT. “I’LL BREAK YOUR NOSE.”

(Special to Times.) "WELLINGTON, Sopt. 24. Tho usually dull ami prosaic prc oeedings of tho Legislative Comic were temporarily enlivened <tli: afternoon .by a characteristic out burst from that steadfast advocat of native rights, the Hon. AVireini Pero. The Council was discussing th Statutes Repeal Bill, tho second road ing of which had just been moved b; the Attorney-Gonoral, when tho ven erablo chief rose in his place, am with all tho impassioned oloquenco o his native tonguo, appealed to hi honorable friend not to further com plicate tho laws of tho country, bui to so arrange that those referring t( particular matters or districts shoulc bo kept together and not separatee in such a way as to be difficult tc find. Ho asked tho Council to b« kind to’■tho remnant of 'the Maori people existing to-day. “When 1 was in anothor place,” continued the vonorablo rangitira, “I was regarded as a man of boisterous disposition, but what made me angry was tho desire to protoct my people, and now I have qualified myself to hocomo a member of the 'House whore tho membership consist of gentlemen. (Langlitor.) Nevertheless, I think I am doing here just as well as I did in another place (renewed laughtor) and if I see and observe that you are attempting to conservo the Maori in the little rights he now possesses then I will say ‘This is indeed a Chamber of righteous and gentlemanly conduct.’ (Laughter.) I appoal to you (tho Hon. Mr. Ormond) to protoct your Maori people, and if you neglect to do so I’ll break your nose.” Having delivered this sentiment with appropriate emphasis the hon. member resumed his seat. The Hon. J. Rigg drew tho Acting-Speaker’s attention tp the expression used. Tho Hon. AVi Pere, again rising, said, “There is no greater friend to the Maori people than tho Hon. Mr. Ormond, and when I say this to him I know how my friend will regard it. If it is objectionable to the other members of the Council I withdraw it on their behalf, but I thin'k he will not object. Mr. Ormond has represented the Maori people from the early days, and in all the conflicts with regard to lands he has boen tho peacemaker.and protector of the Maori, and ho it was who removed tho rebellious conduct of the Maoris. The other members of tho Council have only become acquainted with native matters and Maori history within recent years.” The Acting-Speaker: “I think it is understood that' the hon member withdraws the expression. He is making a speech.” The Hon. Wi Pore 1 : “Yes, I withdraw it." I used the words because I knew the Hon. Mr. Ormond was a gentleman who knew the spirit in which they were uttered.” The incident then closed.