The Member for MOtueka

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7355, 1 November 1898, Page 4

The Member for MOtueka

THE CLOSE OF THE INCIDENT.

(by telegraph.)

(from ode own correspondent. ) Wellington, October 31. The sequel to Friday night's unpleasant incident occurred to-night when the Premier moved the motion of which he had given notice, to the effect that the motion suspending the member for Motueka be rescinded. fc>peaking to the motion, K r v eddon said that Mr M'Kenzie was under the impression that he was within his jutt rights in insisting upon a division being taken on Friday morning. He bad moved that the offensive words be taken down, and acted in the belief that he could demand a division upon the point, whereas the Standing Orders provided that the question should be settled upon the voices. Further, Mr M'Kenzie believed t hatif another member intervened with speeches he would lose a right to have the question put. He had therefore persisted in tiig defiance of the Chair. That was the member's own explanation, and members present would bear testimony to the fact that, he had not been guilty of any offensive actions. At the time he had had no intention of disregarding the Chair, or resisting the authority of the House. The Speaker intimated that he would have preferred that the member should have been allowed to come before the House and explain. He had no desire to place any member in a humiliating position, but he thought a frank and manly apology would'be well received. lEhia expression was received with marked approval by the House. Mr Bolleaton, speaking as the oldest member in the House, supported the Speaker's suggestion. Without opposing the spirit of the Premier's motion, he desired to say that he thought he should have moved to remit the remainder of the sentence. The Premier having accepted the suggestion .of the Speaker, it was decided to hear the member for Motueka, and the House adjournedr for a few minutes till Mr M'Kenzie waa informedand consulted. Ori resuining, Mr Seddon announced that Mr l&iKexizie was prepared to make a statement. -

. Mr M'Kenzie was admitted, and made the following statement:—" Sir, I wish to explain that early on Friday morning, whilst the House was in committee on the Mining Bill, I had two amendments to move theiein for the member for Grey. After these were disposed of, I moved a farther amendment in the same direction as those of Mr Gninness, and was addressing the chair on the same when some interjection was made. I think by the hon. member for the Suburbs. This was immediately followed by what I considered a most offensive personal interjection by the hon. member for Bnller. 1 at once moved that the member for Boiler's words be taken down. I was then under the impression that any motion made in Committee must go to a . division, if called for, and consequently for a division. I was also of the opinion that such a motion must be decided under Standing Order 147 before any other member had spoken, and owing to an imperfect knowledge of the Standing Orders bearing on the subject I erroneously persisted in asking for a division, and when refused moved to report progress in order that the matter be reported to the House. In the meantime I procured a copy of the Standing Orders and found I was mistaken, which I now frankly admit. I had no intention whatever of disobeying, defying, or in any other way showing discourtesy to the Chair, or saying or doing anything derogratory to the dignity of the House or its deliberations, and I now express my regret that whilst in the heat and indignation of repelling a personal attack, and under a misapprehension of some of the Standing Orders, I acted in any way against the ruling of the Chair." The member for Motueka thereupon left the Chamber, and after explanations by Mr O'Regan and Mr Wilson, the apology was accepted. Mr Duthie expressed the opinion that Mr M'Kenzie had been hardly treated by not being permitted to explain on Friday morning, and declared that had he been treated similarly he would have himself resigned. The Speaker explained that he had no option but to put the motion ior sospenßion forthwith when the member was reported for disorderly conduct. Mr Seddon'a motion was then moved. Captain Russell moved an amendment to the effect that the House declines to consider the question of rescinding the resolution until it has ascertained whether or not Mr M'Kenzie has ceased to be a member of the House. He maintained that every member of the House was well aware that his resignation had been written and given to the Speaker, and he contended that it took effect when delivered. Mr R. Hutchison supported the contention, declaring that the resignation was the property of the House as soon as delivered to the Speaker, and that the Speaker had no right to hand it over, even to the member himself. Mr Scobie Mackenzie was of opinion that the Speaker had acted in the only possible manner under the circumstances. Mr G. Allan, whilst recognising the justice of the amendment, urged Captain hussell to withdraw it. Mr Duthie also urged the withdrawal of the amendment The Premier recognised t v e motive that prompted the amendment and gave Captain Russell every credit for his willingness to move it, and in a lengthy speech supported the action of the Sp-aker. After a few words from Mr Pirani, who contended that the withdrawal of the resignation was unknown to and unauthorised' by the member for Motueka, Capt. Kussell asked leave to withdraw the amendment, reiterating his asiura'-ce that he believed the position he had adopted was the right one, but saying that in deference to the wishes of members he was prepared to abandon it. The Premier's motion was then put and carried, and Mr M'Kenzie was re-admitted to the House.