PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 31, 23 September 1914, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. IPeb Fbisi Association.] Wellington, September 22. The House met at 2.30 p.m. In reply to Mr Harris, the Premier said he had not heard that the liquor; party was circularising mock ballot: papers through some of the concentration camps. If that were done it was a most improper tbing. In reply to Mr Anderson, Hon. W. Massey said the Government was negotiating for a supply of sufficient vessels to carry on overseas trade.

In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, Hon. W. Frasor said he would circulate the Bill prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the Mines Commission. In reply to Mr Reed, tho Premier said that every native district would send a quota with the expeditionary force in accordance with its population. The Premier moved that on and after Wednesday next, and for the rest of the session, Government business take precedence on Wednesdays. Sir Joseph Ward asked the Premiei to state what business he proposed to

go on with. ' ltepliyng, the Premier said he would not cut'out any Bill that had reached tbe third reading stage, It gas not possible to close the session in a fortnight. The Education Bill would m itself take several days, while the Legishi tive Council Bill could not be dropped as it had passed the other chamber The Parliamentary Grants and Cook Tshmds Bills were non-party Bills, and should be gone on with. On the House resuming at 7.30, M: Massey again pointed out that then would be ample export facilities up to 31st December. He had advice from Loudon that there would be sufficient ships to carry our produce up t< Christmas. He also suggested that the Press should make no reference to tin movements of the expeditionary force He hoped that members of the House would also observe this rule. At 10.40 the Bill passed its committee stage, with machinery amendments moved by the Minister. The House then went into committee on the Fire Brigades Amendment Bill. which passed without material amendment. The War Bisks Bill was read a second time, and, as a matter of urgency the Bill was put through committee without amendment, read a third time.

and passed. The motion that Wednesdays betaken for Government business vva> carried. Sir Joseph Ward asked for train ar rangements to be made for country people to attend the farewell of th: troops.—Mr Massey, in reply, said thai the Railway Department appeared to want two days' notice, but he woulc place the matter before the Minister for Railways. The House adjourned at 10.50 p.m.

A "FOUL" ASPERSION. During the course of the debate or the War Risk Insurance Bill, Mi Russell said the Bill was only anothei illustration of the incompetency of the Government to deal with a largi question when it arose. The proposal was absolutely ridiculous. The Go vernment should have made an effort to become the agent of the Imperial authorities in this Dominion.

Hon. Herdman, in reply, said the speech just made by the member foi Avon was one of the most hitter, vindictive, and malevolent he had eves beard. It was his personal opinion that in the innermost recesses of hiheart the member for Avon would rather see Europe overrun by Germans than that the Government should remain in office. Mr Russell moved that those words bo taken down.

The Premier, who hurriedly came in to the House, said the words had not been ruled out of order by the Speaker and he could do no more than movi that no further action be taken. Mr Russel said the words were among the most blackguardly (herhe was called to order, and withdrew the words). Continuing, he said tin aspersion was a foul one cast upon hi loyalty, and therefore a grave reflec tion upon him and his children. He would be satisfied, with nothing les than the withdrawal of the words. Mr Myers urged that the word should be withdrawn by the Minister and the incident allowed to close. Mr Forbes remarked that it ill bo came the. Premier to sit and smili while a member of his Governim-m used such unwarranted language to wards a member of the House. Hon. Buddo was proceeding to ad dress the House in a similar straii when the House rose for the diiuio: adjournment. When the House resumed in the evening the Premier referred to the quarrel of the afternoon, and he suggested that both members should withdraw what they had said.

Sir Joseph Ward agreed that it would be wise for the Attnrney-Genv-al to withdraw what he had said.

The Hon. Herdman then withdraw the words he had used, and Mr Ru«sell "freely and willingly accepted th' honorable and manly withdrawal of the words." Tho incident then closed.