PARTY WRANGLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12754, 25 September 1919, Page 7

PARTY WRANGLING.

THE LEADERS IN ACTION, SOME MEMBERS GET HEATED. (Special to the ‘'Star.") WELLINGTON, 'September 25. t arty questions were raised several times during the debate on gratuities;, and all members deprecated dragging in party, but most of them did not hesitate to make use of party argument. The Prime Minister said he would not say what ho thought of the attitude taken up by the Leader of the Opposition, but he knew how it would appear to the country. The Leader of the Opposition had formerly asked for an adjournment. so that he might consult Ins party. The adjournment was agreed to, and when the debate was resumed, the Leader-of the Opposition immediately moved to have the paper referred back. Ninty-nine out of every hundred would say it was a party move, and he regretted that that attitude had been taken up. Sir Joseph Ward; "What about your proposals in the Budget?” The Prime Minister: "What about your manifesto?” Sir Joseph Ward: "That is an entirely different question and if the lion, member wants to talk party I will talk with him.’' The Prime Minister said there were no party proposals in the Budget. The proposals were for the good of the country and in fulfilment of promises made by the Ministers working with him time and again. " I have been on the quarterdeck for seven of the most strenuous years, and I am prepared to accept the country’s verdict. Mr J. Vigor Brown: “You will be in the steerage after the elections.” Sir A. Walker: " Why don’t you clear the decks and let us have an election?” The Prim© Minister; " The hon member will have the election at the proper time. I will do what is fair, whether jit is against my own interests or | not.” I Sir Joseph Ward then made a perS sonal explanation. He had asked for | an adjournment because they had a | proposal before them which none of j them had had time to consider. Members on the Government side also desired time for consideration. ‘‘ We have | gone by the days of the National Govj eminent, and we must realise that I j have my duties to perform.” A[r fi P. Lee; Then it is party? Sir Joseph "Ward: I have my rights and I intend to exercise them without asking permission of the honourable gentleman. Later the Hon A. M. Myers asked the Prime Minister not to consider the matter from a party point of view. He was not even at the caucus in the moraine. Mr Massey (innocently): Was there a caucus? Mr Myers: Well a party meeting. He thought the leader of the Opposition was quite right in taking the action he did. “ The dutiea of the Opposition wore ” The Prime Minister: “To oppose everything.” Mr Myers: “To weigh carefully, and consider and elucidate the proposals.” Mr Leo; “And go one better.” Mr J. T. M. Hornsby (Wairarapa) said ho had withdrawn from tho National Government and had severed his connection with Sir Joseph Ward on account of his attitude towards tho soldiers. Sir Joseph Ward interjected that the member had not told him thatAn hon. member; “Order, order.” ■Sir Joseph Ward; "Order, yourself.” , Soon afterwards the member for Wairarapa roused the Labour Party. He said ho was amused to hear the Labour memhers so solicitous as they now wore for the welfare of the soldiers, when during the war they had done their best to dissuade men from going to tho front, and had said that if they did they would he fighting the capitalists’ war and would he fools. A Labour member; That’s a lie. A member: No, no. Mr J. M’Combs (Lyttelton): As applied to myself it is undoubtedly a lie. The Speaker called for o/dcr. and said that Mr M’Comhs would have to withdraw. Mr M’Comhs; “In compliance with your ruling I withdraw the expression, but as applied to myself, it ” The Speaker: " The lion, member cannot debate tho question or argue about it. ’Dio expression is not parliamentary, and I call upon him to withdraw it and express regret.” Mr M’Combs: "In compliance with your ruling, sir. I withdraw and exregret. The statement,, however The Speaker: .‘‘The hoij. member must not qualify his withdrawal in any way.”