"STAY OFFSIDE"

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17133, 8 September 1926, Page 7

"STAY OFFSIDE"

MINISTER HITS OUT MR. HARRIS ROCKS THE BOAT AND GETS CASTIGATED (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A vigorous attack on the motor omnibus legislation from Mr. A. Harris, member for W:\itcinata, was followed in lb'' House last night by a heavy cold douche from the lion. \V. Downie Stewart, Minister of EhiaiH'O. who demanded that the Government supporter consider his Government. Air. Stewart declared that he did not question a member's right to criticise the Government, the Motor Bus Committee, or. the regulations, but he had no right to criticise the commercial morality of the Government, or to say that in their action they were putting money into the pockets of their friends. "If the lion, member,'' continued the acting-Leader of the Government, "takes a public opportunity of saying that the Government subordinates public interest to the private interests of its friends, then 1 invite him to consider its position, because if he wishes to be offside he should be offside, and stay offside. The lion, member can make his peace with his Lender if he likes, lull while 1 am only temporary Leader I will not tolerate a member of this party attacking the commercial morality and integrity of the Government, and I ask him if he intends to pursue thai policy he should decide what course to adopt. If his convictions are genuine, as he says they are. then i:, is impossible for him to mai'Maiu his position, and remain in this party." Mr. Harris received the rebuke in silence, but comment promptly came from the Labor member. Air. D. C. Sullivan, who opened his speech smilingly with a suggestion that the member for Waitomatn had effectively rocked the boat, and after his severe caning it would be very interesting to see what would ultimately happen.