MINISTER AND MEMBER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14685, 19 November 1909, Page 2

MINISTER AND MEMBER

<, LIVELY. I'ASSAGE.AT-ARMS. (From Our Own Cosrespoxdekt.i WELLINGTON, November 18. There was an animated controversy in the House this afternoon between" Mr Hine, M.P. for Stratford, and the Hon. 11. MTvenzie, .Minister of Public Works, with regard to the. -housing of co-onera,-t-ive workers in various "parts of" the Doiuinon. Mr Hine referred to the conditions under which the co-operative workmen in his district were housed. He declared that all reasonable assistance had certainly not been granted to them. The Minister stated that Mr Hine had only raised the question for electioneering purpci-es. Everybody who had not a lent when going on to co-operative works was Jtipnjied with one, and, in addition, they were supplied with the necessary timber. Workers could • not expect the Government to be more generous in the matter. If the Government were moic liberal both Mr Massey and Mr Hine would accuse the. Government of extravagance. They would even like to see the workers' wages reduced to 3s per day. Mr Massey (warmly): The statement is absolutely contrary to fact, and has been denied over and over. The Minister: Oh.' Tire Speaker: The -Minister is bound to accept the -lion, member's assurance. The Minister: As far as'Mr Massey personalty is concerned, I will accept his explanation, but as far as their political tactics are concerned that 'is a different matter. • When Mr Hine. rose to a. point of order tlie Minister asserted that the member for Stratford might have drawn llis attention to his complaint when he was in llis district. Mr Hine: So I did. The Minister: 1 deny that to be the case. You never said or eent a syllable. Mr Hine later on denied that he had called •attention to the matter so as to catch votes. His object in doing so was merely lo secure increased comfort for the workers.—(" Hear, hear.") 1 The Minister: i repeat again that this is the first- I have heard of il. Mr Hine: 1 contradict • the Minister emphatically. 'lbs .Minister: And 1 contradict whatyou say. Mr Hine (to the Speaker): Is not the Minister bound to accept my statement? The Speaker: I didn't understand you to say that you had either written or spoken to the Minister. Mr Hine: When he was in my district 1 told him about it. Tile Minister: He never. The Speaker requested the Minister to resume Iris seat, and the incident then ck-sid.