A STRANGE SPEECH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9917, 4 August 1910, Page 1

A STRANGE SPEECH.

[FROM OTTB, Corrisspok'DßNT.] \Y August 3. Member.! of the Legislative Council were rather upset by some of the utterances of the Hon Wi Pere to-day when he was speaking to the AttornevGeneral's motion of regret at the death of tho late Hon Henry Scotland. They showed plainly that they were becoming restive and were promptly rebuked by tIK Maori Councillor. " In the other place." said the Hon Wi Pere, "they depart from the .strict path, _hen> we stick to the just one. That is why we have been given the more honourable mime. We are not going to be influenced by money or any form of bribery. Money is selfishness; it is old Satan the Devil." He went on to say that lawyers were the agents of the devil, securing money by ail sorts of crafty tricks.

'/Surely," said I)r Findlay, " this is going too fa>. It is scarcely fitting and proper on a motion of this kind,'' The protest was greeted -with hearty cries of " Hear, hear," but the Speaker said that the honou rubify member must be given. a little latitude. The Hon Wi Pore explained that his intention was to point to Mr Scotland (who was a lawyer himself) as a bright exception to the rule lie had. stated. Mr Scotland had been his good friend and ho lamented his death. " But J. will not lament in this strain over the death of every member of the Council/' lie added. " Some will die and I will not lament their death at all. 1 will only lament over those who are worth it." "Members are annoyed at the length ol 1 ray remarks," said the Mon Wi Pere later. "Let them keep it insido and not show it. I will not he stopped. I am not afraid of you if it comes to a question of fighting. If j'ou get angry with me when I am in the right I will say to yon, ' You are wrong.' I am tho only representative of the Maori people in this chamber, and if I want to speak 1' will speak. I will be heard though there is the lot of you against mo. Mr Wi Pere concluded by saying that he grieved because, he had lost the truest friend he had in. the; Council, and having lost him lie was looking round to sew> who was the. most kindly to take the vacant place.