MR M. W. GREEN AND "HANSARD."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6780, 7 November 1883, Page 3

MR M. W. GREEN AND "HANSARD."

* TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Mr Green's memory seems to be amazingly weak—a"great misfortune for a man like him. He only remembers things that never happened. For instance, he asserts tbat when in 1882 a motion intercepting Supply was brought forward to prevent the division of the county of Waikouaiti, "nothing referring to the matter was found in ' Hansard.'" Sir, the whole debate is to be "found in "Hansard,"' vol, 43, pages 685 and 760. In reply to Mr Fulton, he excuses himself for other mis-state-ments by saying that he had not a copy of " Hansard','for 1881. Will he deny that he has a copy* of 1882? And if he has a copy, as ho certainly-must bave, by what devico will he escape from the. imputation of having made an untrue state__ient with the proof of the contrary in his possession? The more he plunges, the more he defiles himself. —I am, &c, 'xM. Hi R, November 6. ;

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Mr M. W. Green's attempted reply to my letter, in which I drew attention to his grave and unfounded charge against the 'Hansard " staff, calls for very few remarks. So far as I can see his only answer is that because a certain course has been followed with respect to reporting motions intercepting supply, my statement as to the practice with regard to motions for postponing orders of the day is open to question. This only-needs to be stated plainly in order to convict Mr Green of evadiDg tho point at issue. It will scarcely be credited by anyone" acquainted with Parliamentary procedure that even a member who ha 3 attended only two sessions can candidly argue that there is the slightest resemblance between the formal motion for postponing orders of the day (which is moved by Ministers nearly every sitting day) and a motion intercepting supply, tbe right to move which is justly regarded as one of the greatest privileges placed in the hands of private members, I shall not attempt the endless task of following Mr Green through all his devious windings, In his eagerness to damage a political opponent Mr Green went out of his way to impute corruption to the members of the " Hansard" staff. He may assert that ho did not intend to make such an accusation ; but lie cannot deny that since he spoke he has been mttde aware of the fact that, in tho opinion of several impartial people, his words convey a grave charge -, and he has been assured on good .authority that his charge is utterly baseless. Under these circumstances I submit there was only one course'open to Mr Green as a conscientious politician — namely, to apologise. He has not done so, and I am content to leave his conduct to the verdict of public opinion.— I am, &c., •',--.. E. D. Dunedin, November 6.