PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12282, 8 July 1914, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENT AT JVES.

(Per Pbess Association.) AVellingtoa. July 7. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The member for Grey Lynn Look his seat-.

11, 9 Question of liis suspension was taken as the first business. Mr Payne was asked if lie proposed to withdraw the words taken down at -i:'riday\s sitting. ■ Mr Payne tsaid he was fully aware that the .dignity of the House limst I be maintained, but lie could not be put in that position. The "Speaker: Will the hou. member withdraw or not? Mr Pa3"iie said he was left no option but to unreservedly Teiuse to withdraw. No personal reflection was cast on Mr Massey. The Speaker: I understand the hon. member refuses to withdraw , J Mr Payne: That is so. Sir Joseph -Ward "urged, that Mr Payne be advised and withdraw. The House had dealt with the words as taken down, and not with- their intention. Spenltiog for himself, lie would not support any member making such a, personal charge unless they were defined in a- resolution. He urged Mr Payne to look calmly and dispassionately at the question and see the wisdom of withdrawing. The Speaker intimated that 1 lie would give the member another opportunity of withdrawing the words. Mr Payne said he appreciated very much the eilorts to cast oil on the troubled waters, but under the circumstances he must unhesitatingly refuse to withdraw the words. The Speaker: Will the hon. gentleman withdraw from the Chamber. -1 Mr Payne left the House. The Premier then moved that v the member for Grey Lyrtn be suspended for the remainder of the (Tuesday s) sitting. The motion needed no explanation. Personally ho was indifferent as to am- words used towards lnm, but he. had* to think of the House, otherwise it would be impossible to say where to draw the line. _ Mr Webb rose to speak, but was silenced by the Speaker, who informed him there was no debate on the question. The mot ion was put. Mr Webb s stentorian "No!" being the only protest against it. , , , The Speaker declared the hon. member suspended for the remainder of the sitting, and then delivered to members a homilv on the evils of interjection. The House proceeded with the ordmarv business. . Leave 'was given to Mr HmdmarsJi to introduce the Imprisonment for Debt Limitation A incndment Bill, which ft as rend a first time. Mr Massey intimated that nil hparintr nf the death of Mr .Joseph Chamberlain he had sent a cable to Mrs Chamberlain, condoling with lier on the death of her distinguished lnjsband, and j had that dav received a reply tendering thanks "from the family for the j svninathy. „ , ._ " Oil behalf of liis side of the House Sir .Joseoii Ward endorsed the sentiments expressed in the Premier s cable. He eulogised the life and work of Mr Chamberlain., who was one of the greatest of Englishmen. . The debate on the Addrcss-in-Eeply ■was resumed by Mr liscott. who spoke with pleasure. upon the prosperous state of the primary industries. He approved of t3io operation, of the. Public Service Act and the proposal to improve the position • of the teachers and increase their salaries. He contended that it was misrepresentation of the Government that- it contemplated the establishment of an independent navy. Mr Seddon urged that the Government should give some indication when the Cost of Livinfr Commission's report would be discussed. He deprecated the failure to give the West Coast icpiescntation upon the Agricultural Board, and complained that the Governors infltlp no mention of tlic mining feirislai ion Since the Government enme into office there had been a sad falling off in attention to the goldfields. Mr Scott knew 110 country in the I world in which the workers were so well off. but the time must come when the overloading of the employers by ■lls'' wages must end. It was not- only high

wages but, inefficiency of the workmen which the employers in both town and countrv had to contend with. Mr Isitt congratulated the members who had proposed the Address-in-Reply, and said tlify had performed a difficult task in mating bricks without straw. He wanted to support Sir Joseph Ward's amendment. Messrs Rhodes, Webb, and EH also ynokc, and the House rose.