A WELL-MERITED SNUB

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8482, 17 July 1913, Page 6

A WELL-MERITED SNUB

The Opposition delivered a snub yesterday to Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P- for Thames, one of tho ex-Liborals whoso adroit political somersault from one party to the other assisted to put tho Tories on to tho Treasury benches. A minute or two after Mr Rhodes commenced a very ’ dismal sjieech, the Oppositionists showed their disfavour by quietly leaving tho chamber, except that one or two remained apparently to direct the Speaker’s attention to tho circumstances if the attendance fell short of a quorum. Some Government members happond to ho absent—they may have been at Trentham — so that it began to appear us if there would be a couut-out. The Government Whips, however, looking very serious, went into the lobbies and gathered in a sufficient number of “Reformers” who, like the Oppositionists, were not exactly bursting with anxiety to hear Thames philosophy. Mr Rhodes was obviously nettled, and his displeasure was not lessened when the Prime Minister, perhaps a little tactlessly, followed a reference by the “Reform” recruit to the Opposition with the interjection, “Where are tho Opposition?” “At the races,” suggested a member, hoping no doubt to relieve an awkward situation by raising a feeble smile. But everybody present fully appreciated tho whole situation, although the ex-Liheral felt it most keenly. It was a deliberate snub by the Opposition—and was not undeserved.