IS HE OFFSIDE?

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 8 September 1926, Page 6

IS HE OFFSIDE?

REEORM MEMBER AND ACTING LEADER A SHARP REBUKE (By Telegraph —Special to- The Mail). WELLINGTON, This Day. During Hie course of the debate an motor omnibus regulations in the House last night, the member for Waitemnta (Mr Harris) was very outspoken in his criticism ef the Government, particularly when dealing with the position ol llie, l'akapuna Tram and Ferry Company, and he received a sharp rebuke from the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Downic Stewart), who expressed the opinion Hud Mr Harris should consider bis position as a member of I lie llwern incut parly. "I do not question the right of the honourable gentleman to criticise the Bill or to criticise the Government, said the Minister, but i do question his right to attack the commercial morality ot the Governmeul. May 1 say frankly and freely thai if (lie honourable member lakes the liberty of saying, and lie i.us said i! before, that this Government is subject to the "pull of private interests” he should reconsider his position as a member of the Government party. If lie wishes to be offside lie .should slay offside. I am only temporary leader of the. party and lie may make, liia pence with his leader. While 1 am leader of the party I am not going to lolerale a member of I lie party attacking the commenial morality of llie Gnvermneul. He should consider his position and decide what, course He is going In lake. If his attacks are genuine, and lie says they are, then ii is impossible for me to see how he can retain Ii is present position and remain in this party.” .Mr ,Sullivan who followed the. Minister stated that Mr Harris had certainly rocked the boat. He remembered the time when the Minister in charge of the Bill (Mr Rnllesioti) had, ns n private member, criticised the Government, hut he had not received such a dressing down as that administered to Mr Harris.