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Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 23 October 1912, Page 5

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make? What do 3-011 take exception to? Tho Chairman: I take exception in your statement that the Chairman had no right to dictate, because there- was no dictation. Mr. Hanan: You'will find that I did not say you. I said a chairman. Ths Chairman: That is so. 'Mr. Hrman: You can put the can on if you like. Tho Chairman: I admit you said a chairman. Mr. Hanan: Am I not justified m referring to chairmen generally? Tho Chairman: Yes, you are. Mr. Hanan: Then I can proceed?The Chairman: Yes. Mr. Hanan went or. to r,ay that the Committeo ought to eonsideV tho circumstances which gave rise to tho comment being made. He further said that it was desirable that the Chairman and Sir Joseph Ward should meet ono another. Tho Chairman : itesumo your seat. Tho chairman's action is not under discussion. You must delete the action of tho chairman from your remarks. The matter before the Committee is that the report bo referred to the House. Mr. Allen said there was only one question beforo the Committee, but he would welcome any suggestion that would obviate the necessity of going to tho House. Mr. Myers suggested that if tho Chairman did not mean his remarks as a personal affront to Sir Joseph Ward, why did ho not say so? Tho Chairman.- The Chairman's action is not under discussion, and cannot bo discussed. Mr. Myers: If you would express yourself, as a fair-minded man, that it was not your intention to convey that impression—•

The Chairman : I must ask you to drop that course of argument. It is unfair to tho Chairman and unfair to the Committee. The question is that the words used bo referred to the House.

Mr. Myers: I was going to appeal to ■Sir Joseph Ward himself that there is a misunderstanding. Mr. Craigie: You arc on the right track. Mr. Hanan: Of course ho is. 7 Mr. Myers: I don't think for a, moment tho chairman desired— _ Mr. Hanan: Why can't tho chairman say so? The Chairman: I must ask you to desist from referring to tho Chairman's action. Mr. Craigio suggested that the Chairman sometimes spoko in an abrupt manner. Tho Chairman: Mr. Craigie, resume your seat. I will not have the Chairman's action criticised or attacked. Mr. J. Allen: Except in a constitutional way. Tho Chairman: Yes, every member has a right to bring tho matter before. tho Committee if I give a wrong ruling. Mr. JETpnan: Are you not curtailing discussion P Sir Joseph Ward urged that, as a matter of fairness to the Committee as a whole, the amendment ought to be carried. Ho would move that words should be inserted in the Committee's report to the effect that the motion had been carried after the Chairman had ruled that ho should withdraw the words before consideration oFTho report from tho House.

The Chairman said ho could not accept the amendment. Ho gave the Committeo an opportunity of referring to tho Speaker the matter of whether his ruling was correct or incorrect. Tho Committee did. not take the opportunity at that time of reporting his ruling to the House, and he must rule tho amendment out of order.

The motion to refer tho matter to tho House was carried, and it was also decided, on the motion of Mr. Hanan, that aa full p. report as available of tho discussion that led nn to the tise of the words complained of be submitted to tho House.

Tho Committee then adjourned until 10-30 a.m. to-morrow.