“FLAPDOODLE.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7301, 3 December 1910, Page 1

“FLAPDOODLE.”

fl PARLIAMENTARY INCIDENT IS THE WORD ALLOWABLE ? The whole machinery of Parliament, , , moving rapidly towards the session*. 1 ? end, was brought suddenly to a stop last night for a reason unique in legisla- 1, five history. Activity was .'suspended . so that , the Speaker’s ruling could betaken upon the question whether "flap- / doodle” is a parliamentary term. It was Mr Jennings, the member for Taumarunui,, who wanted the quaint interpretation. He had made an earn- ‘ ost appeal fox- consideration, for backblocks settlers, and w:as told by the Hon. K. : McKenzie (Minister of Public 'Works?. that in view of the large, sums spent in. his electorate, his utterances could only be regarded as flapdoodle. - "The Minister for courtesy "and Public Works should explain wKlt ho means,’* retorted Mr Jennings. " : ;; y- : "Themember for rudeness,’’ was Ihe Minister’s answer to Mr Jennings, who then asked the chairman IMr .ColvinV ,1c rule whether "flap-doodle” was a Pni:liamcntaiw. expression. ' The leader of the Opposition sug-» gosted that Mr Colvin should also explain tho meaning of the strange word, "I can’t do it,” confessed the chair-

man amid laughter, lie ruled that ne the expression had passed muster before,! ■ it was Parliamentary. Mr- Jennings declared that ho would, divide the :,House on a motion to . taka the Speaker’s ruling on the question. Ho •insisted up to the point of tjhc. members together by the division hellsThen ho gave in, "I forgive the.Ministoiv, because he was in a temper," ho said.: ■•,,, .A sequel to this amusing -interlude , seemed likely to become' serious. : Of--( ;■}: fended at a remark by a neighbouring" member, Mr Jennings sat down beside.: him and,made threatening gestures. Twb : ( . :: ( or three colleagues interfered, the chairman called "Order.” and the member fob Napier closed, up the incident by-intci-.. posing his gef crous.proportions between- , the*uisputants. ' J