A HOT PASSAGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15826, 26 July 1913, Page 10

A HOT PASSAGE.

MR HINDMARSH AND MR ESCOTT.

(From Ocr Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, July 25. Mr A. H. Hindmarsh is at all times a vigorous Labour speaker, and he generally breaks ground in an interesting way when he speaks. To-night, when discussing the second reading of tho Pensions Bill, he indulged in flagellating talk because he was interrupted. The passage was a very amusing one while it lasted, and greatly fcmused the House. .

First of all Mr Hindmarsh "dealt with" Mr Fisher (Minister in charge of the Bill) because that gentleman had made some interesting comparisons between Governments past and present in regard to pensions. Mr Hindmarsh inquired wiiy he indulged in such recriminations, Why did he make ewh accusations? He'knew the others would recriminate, and that recrimination would prdduco scenes which would degrade the Ministry in the eyes of the country. Mr 'Fisher's action, thorefore,' was a deliberate attempt to involve his fellow Ministers in ruin in order to bring profit to himself. That looked very much like vaulting ambition, and they did not expect.such actions from Ministers.

"But you do it," declared Mr Escort. "I am not.a Minister," replied Mr Hindmarsh.

- "But you hopo to be," retorted Mr Esootfc.

u This started the tirade and the scene. 'If brains count you will never see th« House ngain," declared Mr Hindmarsh, whilo the House laughed. "'Where would you bo if you did not hang on to the tail. end of a party?" he continued. "What chance would a man like that have of entering Parliament unless ho had Ministers backing him np and forcing him in? Like a poodle, ho would follow the Prime Minister wherever he went."

The Speaker: You must withdraw the word "poodlo" and keep to the subject under discussion.

Mr Hindraaish: "Well, I withdraw it, but when interrupted I must reply. This man has neither personality nor ideas, and when I am interrupted by the vacuous laughter of the so-called member for Pahiatoa. I shall reply to him. I shall have to ask the Prime Minister to keep the tail end of his following a Jittlo in order or else I shall ha-vo to take it upon myself to castigate him (Mr E6Cott) in such a' way that he' Won't interrupt again, 'and I' givo him notice of that.

With this warlike declaration, but stffl breathing furious turnings, Mr Hindmarsb. subsided into his seat, and the laughing House passed on to less furious speeches. At a later stage Mr Eseott made a brief reply. Ho 6aid ho considered that the remarks of Mr Hindniarsh were unworthy of consideration. If that hon. gentleman derived any satisfaction from working off his verbosity in this manner he oouM assure him that it.would do him (tho sneaker) very little harm. In regard to lacking personality and originality he pointed oat that ho had won a seat which lad never before been, represented by a Reformer, and had displaced a sitting member so that he must havo had some originality and personality. _ He was prepared to contrast his record with that of Mr Hindmarsh, and would close his refutation ,with the quotation that " when making for any given point do not bo deterred by any terrier barking at your heels."