SCENE IN PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9788, 11 October 1917, Page 5

SCENE IN PARLIAMENT

PUGNACIOUS POLITICIANS STRONG LANGUAGE IN THE SOUSE. STAND-UP FIGHT IN THE LOBBY. High feeling in the House of Representatives generated by the caucus of supporters of the National Government took a startling turn in tho House of Representatives last night. High words in tho House culminated later by two members adjourning to tho lobby and having a stand-up fight Strong language by Mr J. T. M. Hornsby earlier in the evening gave rise to stronger replies from Ministers and members. Mr Hornsby upbraided members for being placed under the thumb of the Government by tho caucus of tho previous day. Mr Hornsby had not attended tho caucus, and members resented his charges m language as strong as Parliamentary procedure would permit. Tho atmosphere grew more heated when Mr A. H. Hindmarsh arose to champion, the requests of the Second Division men. He held that whore tho Government compelled a man to go they should compensate such a man’s dependents to tho uttermost. Wealth and laud had not been fully taxed. The Government was guilty of class legislation. Mr Hindmarsh directed much of his remarks at the member for Patea, Mr G. V. Pearce. At length Mr Pearce retaliated by interjecting: “We aro not as afraid to go to tno front as you are.” This roused Mr Hindmarsh. “I can 101 l by your face,” he shouted loudly across the House, “that you are an absolute cur.” , A mild uproar followed. Mr Speaker called for a withdrawal, and Mr Poland (Ohinemuri) called out: “Ho is quite right.” _ ._ Air Hindmarsh: “Yes, I wxthAlr Nosworthy; “A member said that he was quite right.” Mr Speaker severely rebuked members for frequent interruptions. Mr Hindmarsh, who was plainly very angry and excited, proceeded to make allegations against Mr Pearce in regard to certain business in the House. . Mr Speaker called him to order. Mr Pearce (angrily); “You ar© saying what is incorrect, and you know lt- Mr Hindmarsh (Shouting): ‘lt is Pe Mr C Speaker again called Mr Hindmarsh to order. . , There was quietness for a while, ana Mr Pearce and Mr Poland were seen to leave the House.

VIOLENT SCENE IN THE LOBBYOn arrival in the lobby there was a violent scene. Mr Poland and iur Pearce were at it hammer and tongs with their fists. The Alinister ter Railways (the Hon. W. H. Hemes) rushed in and separated the pair, ihe lobby was the scene of wildest excitement, and shortly only a tew members: remained in -the, House. One of the fighting members was bleeding about the face and his collar waa knocked out of shape. Peace was restored shortly afterwards. Meantime wordy .warfare raged m tho House,

PRIME MINISTER PROTESTS “A DISGRACE TO PARLIAMENT.” Later Mr P. C. Webb (Grey) declared that the Govern,merit was conscripting men but they would not conscript wealth. They were forcing men to go to the front to risk their lives for the country; when Mr W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui) threw in an interjection in an undertone. A heated interchange followed, the hon. members challenging each other to go outside and settle in; and finally Mr Webb exclaimed —“Mr Speaker, the hon. member’s remarks to mo are as insulting as his personality. Ho says I ought to be at the Mr H. J. H. Okoy (Taranaki): ‘-So you ought!” Mr Webb: “Yes; there is another one. But lot mo tell you that I have risked my life every day of my'life and am prepared to do so whenever necessary. The men who voted mo in to this House are some of the best fighters of the country. They voted for me to come here to look after their interests and those of their dependents.” He liad told his constituents, he added, that ho would resign when a majority of them asked him to do so; and it was for them to say where he should be, not for any other member to do so. On Mr W. A. Veitbh (Wanganui) afterwards rising to speak, Mr Okey again interjected, and Mr Veitch retorted, ‘T am addressing the House, not a baokblocks insignificant creature.”

Mr Massey, who had just entered tho Chamber, rushed across to his seat exclaiming, “Really, Mr Speaker, 1 must pot a stop to this. The scenes hero to-night have been a disgrace to tho New Zealand Parliament. I ask hon. members to recollect that they represent the people of this country, and should uphold the honour and the character of Parliament, and see that they use no language calculated to cause a breach of tho peace.” (Hear, hear.) Tho Speaker: “I recognise it has been a very heated debate; but I must ask hon. members not to interject. The trouble arises Largely from members interjecting.” ("Hoar, hear.) Mr Veitch said that he was not in the habit of using insulting or provocative language; but he did object to such constant interjections. The incident then closed.