MR PAYNE SUSPENDED.

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

MR PAYNE SUSPENDED.

I REFUSES TO WITHDRAW. ATTEMPTS AN EXPLANATION". NO PERSONAL APPLICATION MEANT. BANISHMENT FOR DAY'S SITTING. By Telegraph. (Special to Oawaru Mail.) Wellington, July 7. Tile latest Payno incident, over which tlio member for Grev Lynn has since last Friday been under the threat- of suspension unless ho withdrew tlio words "Ho sits there by "bribery and corruption"—applied as an_ interjection by him to the Prinio Minister during the debate. —was reopened immediately upon the House resuming this afternoon. Members were moro or less prepared for further sensation, but the incident passed through its concluding phase without any display of feeling or ol anything contrary to the most dignified traditions of the GhaniEpi 7 . Mr Payne, though strongly advised to do so by the Leader of the Opposition, stubbornly refused to withdraw the obuoxious words, and was accordingly suspended for tlio day's sitting. Tlio matter was reopened upon tlio member for Grey Lynn entering the Chamber by Mr -Speaker saying: "T have to inform the honorable member lor Grey Lynn that the House has decided to give him another opportunity to withdraw certain words used in debate last Friday."

Mr Payne: I want it to be quite clearly understood, Mr Speaker, that my words had nn reference to Mr Massey in his capacity as' a private member of this House. Mr Speaker:. Yes! But the hon. member must withdraw his words beforo making any explanation. "Sir," returned Mr Payne, "I just want to make it clear I don't want to say anything except that Mr Massey as head of the Government —" Mr Speaker: Tbe honorable member must say immediately whether he j wishes to withdraw the words. Mr Payne: I am fully aware, Sir, of the fact that the dignity and honor of this House must be upheld. Mr Speaker: Does tlio lion, mombor intend to withdraw the words? "I ABSOLUTELY DECLINE." Sir Payne: Under the circumstances I refuse to withdraw the words I have used, Mr Speaker. I. have already said I did not intend any personal reflection on the Prime Minister. Mr Speaker: 1 understand then tha I, the hon. member refuses to withdraw. Mr Payne.: With all duo respect to the chair, Sir, 1 absolutely decline. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S ADVICE. Sir Joseph Ward interposed 'to explain that although he was not prosont when tlio words were used, ho had rend the account of tlio incident in tlio newspapers and he considered tho member for Grey Lynn would bo well advised to withdraw tho words. If tho application were intended as a personal application then no honorable member would, of course, uphold such a personal application. Tho Prime Minister: Or political. ' Sir Joseph Ward: Well, if a. charge has been made against tho Government and, of course, that sort of thing has been done before, the matter can bo dealt with on a different basis, but rulings in the p»st liave shown plcarly that tlio House has not to consider tho intentions of the member, but tho actual words used, and tho honorable member must see that his words must bo taken as having a. personal application. "I think, therefore, he would bo doing the proper thiug to withdraw tho words which at present do certainly havo a personal application. Speaking ior myself," added "Sir Joseph, "I could not support aJiy honorable member of tho House in making a. personal charge of that kind unless it was a. defined charge in accordance with the rulings and in consonance with duo and proper parliamentary procedure as recognised fey tho rulings of all parliaments of tho world. ANOTHER INVITATION DECLINED.

Mr Speaker thereupon announced that lie would give tho member for Grey Lynn one more opportunity. "I must tell hini, however, that lie nnisl withdraw the words unreservedly," added the Chairman..

Mr Payne: Sir, 1 appreciate very highly the advico tendered to nio by tlio Leader of the Opposition, but at tlie samo time 1 wish to make it quite clear that I decline unhesitatingly to withdraw the words. The Speaker: Then will tlio lion, member withdraw from tlio Chamber? SUSPENDED FOR REST OF SITTING.

Mr Payne immediately left his seat and walked out of the Chamber, whereupon tlio Prime Minister said, lie cc■netted it, because of his duty as leader of tho House to move that the member for Grey Lynn bo suspend fcl ior the remainder ol : this, Tuesday's, sitting. Ho wasy ho added, simply following tho usual custom and was adhering to P'ccedent. So far as lie was personally concerned, the lion, gentleman was welcome to use any words, political o! personally, he ehose to use. He, Mr Massey, 'was ciuite prepared to deal wit!: them, but he was thinking of tho dignity of tho House, and ~i that 'sort of thing were allowed to go on lis must ask lion, niembeit. where they were going to draw the line. He was quite satisfied that what had taken place on Friday night and on that (Tuesday) afternoon would remain in the minds of members lor tho re-

mainder of tho (session. When tho motion was put to 1110 Houso Mr Webb's was tho only voice r Speaker thereupon instructed tho Sergeant-at-Arms to intimato to tlio member for Grey Lynn, that ho eouk not bo allowed to enter tho Chainbei again during tho sitting. THE INTERJECTION HABIT. Tho affair closed quietly with a mild lecture by Mr Speaker on ibe suW, of interruptions generally. Ho did no ; wish to accuse tho present House o being worse in this respect than loime parliaments, but interruptions were a) tow frequent, and they ivero highly disorderly and contrary to tho Standing Orders. He asked members, paitiuiLarly the older ones and leading members, to set an example to the joi l u members. interruptions were Iru«u Hlv the fault of tho member adclcssii 0 the Houses, as speakers oil l:1 l 1 ed themselves to in. ividua.ls uisil..l u to the chair, and thus almost mviti/l interjections.