POLITICAL NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 1 November 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

"A PIECE OFIMPEBTCNEXCE."

PHRASE USED BY MR. 'RUSSELL

SPEAKER SAYS IT WAS JUSTIFIED

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "Chronicle.")

WELLINGTON, October 31. A good deal of latitude was allowed by .Mr. Speaker during the debate on the Waihi trouble in the House of Representatives this afternoon. Terms were used by two of the Labour members, Messrs. Payne and Robertson, that were certainly open to objection, but they were not immediately pulled "up. Shortly afterwards thei'e was a gasp of surprise when Mr. Russell (Avon) used tho phraee which caxised such a turmoil less than a fortnight ago.

Mr. Ru&sell was addressing a question to the Minister of Justice when some interjection was made by Mr. Buchanan CWairarapa). "I am not asking a question of the momser for Wairarapa," Mr. Russell retorted heatedly. "I am'asking a question of the Minister, and I regard his (Mr. Buchanan's) intrusion when I am doing as a niece of impertinence."

With the previous incident fresh in their minds, members looked to Mr. Speaker to "pull up" the member for Avon. Mr. Buchanan at once rose and asked whether Jho words were in order, since ho had merely asked a perfectly civil ouestion.

"I think the. Hon. member was justified in using that remark when the interruption was made," was the Speaker's ruling. The words recently addressee! to the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee- by Sir Josenh Ward were: "It i.c; a downright piece of impertinence.'" and during the debate on the evening of October 21st :Mr. Speaker was asked t^ rule whether the words were a. breach of nrivilepe. "In deciding the point." ''aid Mr. Speaker on that occasion, "I havo no hesitation in saying that the language used by the Right Hon. Sir .To.c'nh. WnH to + -'0 oVinnan was unTwlinmontarv.. The Right Hon, Sir Joseph Ward was there in a dual capacity -as n witness and .also as a memLer of the committee. The language complained of ormnot in any sense of the word bo held to be. evidence. Tt is ah evnression of opinion, and not evidence."