A Women's Deputation.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 5953, 24 May 1894, Page 1

A Women's Deputation.

INSINUATIONS AND DENIALS. A cable message last week stated that the Victorian Minister of Lands (Mr M'lntyre) had been accused by a deputation of women of drunkenness. From a report in the Argus it appears that in company with a Mr Robertson, who is interesting himself in the matter, they waited upon him in regard to village settlements, and also 'to complain of the treatment of Mr Robertson by the Lands Department. They asked the Minister to stay his hand in regard to the departmental survey until there had been a public inquiry into the settlement. Mr M'lntyre said he could not recognise the surveys made by order of " that man Robertson." The land belonged to the Crown, but that man was treated as though he owned it. One of the ladies protested against Mr Robertson being called " that man." It was insulting. In any other country, she said, he would have been respected and regarded as a philanthropist. Mr M'lntyre replied that Mr Robertson had declared in a villainous way that he (the Minister) was intoxicated when he visited the settlement. " So you were," was the cool retort of one of the deputation. "Who told you that ?" demanded the Minister in angry tones. "Oh, we heard it," said a chorus of female voices. " Where did you hear it ?" asked Mr M'lntyre. One of the ladies stated her son had so informed her, and he never told a lie. "No," retorted Mr M'lntyre, "he would not be a son of yours if he did." " What," said the lady in indignant tones, " did you say he was not my son V The Minister either did not wish to pursue this subject further, or, in the clatter of female voices caused by all the deputation wishing to speak at the same time, he did not hear the query. "You know," said one of the deputation in a coaxing manner, " it's not so very dreadful to get tipsy." But Mr M'lntyre was not to be drawn by the lady diplomatist into making the admission she sought to obtain from him. He stoutly declared that he had tasted nothing stronger than water that day, and objected to such yillainous statements being made about him. Mr Staughton, M.L.A., who was with the Minister at the settlement, happened to be in the room, and was enjoying the proceedings, when the Minister appealed to him to state whether he (Mr M'lntyre) was drunk. The member for West Bourke unhesitatingly confirmed the Minister's statement as to his having had no liquor. The deputation was not altogether satisfied, with this statement. It had declared that some of the party were intoxicated, and a victim had to be found to support the assertion. It was therefore insinuated that perhaps it was Mr Staughton who was " tipsy," but on the member for West Bourke laughing heartily at such an insinuation, one of the ladies hinted that it must have been the constable who accompanied the Minister, and who had reported adversely on the settlement. Mr M'lntyre said that the constable was sober, and in doing what he did had carried out his duty. One of the deputation said she thought, on reflection, that it must have been the Minister who was drunk, because he had used " naughty words " to Mr Robertson. When he saw the trees cut down he said, "What the " (then she held her breath for a moment, with a look of horror on her face) " are you doing ?" Mr M'lntyre was astonished at such an assertion. " Madam," he exclaimed, "it is a " then he held his breath for a second and added " lie." ' "Of course it is very unpleasant for you to be considered tipsy," was the rejoinder. "Are you Miss or Mrs?" asked the Minister. "I am Mrs, but you should address me as madam," was the reply. "Thanks," said Mr M'lntyre, and he added, "It must be, madam, very unpleasant for you to be considered the retailer of lies," "You ought in justice," said one of the ladies, " to hear Mr Robertson." "I have heard him," replied Mr M'lntyre with a sigh. Finally the Minister declined to accede to the request of the deputation, from whom he obtained ah admission that none of them had ever visited the settlement. The ladies therefore left the room fall of aidignation, and one of them fixing her eye on Mr M'lntyre said, "Thank goodness there will soon be another Minister of Lands." and then marched out of the room with the air of one whose fiat had gone forth, and whose writing was already "on the wall."