THE FAT IN THE FIRE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 4945, 19 September 1914, Page 5

THE FAT IN THE FIRE.

RUPTURE IN PARTY TRUCE.

MEMBERS IN ANGRY MOOD

(By Telegraph. —Special Reporter.) Wellington, This Day. “A truce begone’ seems to be the ' only conclusion to be derived from the long and bitter party wrangle which occupied the greater part of yesterday afternoon’s sitting of the House. Several minor incidents that have occurred in the House during the past few days have a tendency to j indicate that the “truce” which was I declared at the commencement of war was about to come to an end. These incidents culminated yesterday afternoon in an acrimonious party clash, which seems likely to result in active party hostilities prevailing henceforth. Yesterday’s regrettable wrangle followed the presentation by the Minister in Charge of Government advertising (Mr Fisher) of a return showing amounts paid to various newspapers for Government advertise, ments last year and also during the two previous years. The return, Mr Fisher stated, showed that since the present Government had been in office the newspapers on both sides of politics have been treated impartially. The Minister also made some remarks in which he contrasted the present policy with that observed by the late Government. These observations by the Minister put the fat in the fire and about two hours was spent in an exhibition of party rancour and recrfci inations. Members on both sides charged their opponents with not having observed the truce agreed upon, whilst the Opposition declared that Mr Fisher had purposely introduced party feeling. The Prime Minister, who had several passages of arms with Mr Russell, the acting-Leader of the Opposition, said that he was sick of the sham on the part of many members of the Opposition. He had, he said, endeavoured to avoid party in every possible way and had urged his followers to do the same, but they ,had replied. “What is the use when •the other side are playing the game they are playing.” Mr Russell was equally warm in his remarks. He declared that the Oppo. sition had observed the truce in every possible way and that it was disgraceful for the Premier to make statements to the contrary. Mr Fisher, in some remarks at the conclusion of the discussion, said apropos of men and parties that he was not going to be a hypocrite. So far as his own electorate was concerned he declared that his opponents had t taken the field and that in self-de-fence he could not and would not refrain from electioneering himself.