WELFARE OF THE PARTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16896, 9 September 1926, Page 7

WELFARE OF THE PARTY.

.. ♦ • MR HARRIS’ REPLY. “ EVERY WORD ENDORSED.” WHERE CABINET WAS INFLUENCED (Ry Telegraph.—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Affirming that lie had been actuated solely by a Sincere regard for Hie welfare of his parly and llic maintenance of its good name, the Government member for Waitemata (Mr A. Harris), in tlie House of Representatives to-day defended tlie attitude lie bad adopted with regard lo the Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill, and replied to the pertinent questions put to him last night by his acting leader (lion. W. Downie Stewart).

I wish to reply to a question put to me last night by the acting leader of llic Government,” said Air Harris. “ He lias asked me to consider my position, in view of a statement I made during my spcecli on liio second reading of Hie Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill which rellected upon the Government. I desire to say that I have considered my position and endorse every word 1 said last night. 1 am convinced that the Government lias allowed itself to be influenced against its belter judgment by outside financial interests in a manner that is highly discreditable —” The Chairman of Committees (Air F. Hockiy) interposed that Hie member was overstepping the bounds of Parliamentary practice, and requested him to withdraw Hie reflection lie had just described.

“ I accept your ruling,” replied Mr Harris, “ hut I think I am in the right," Mr Hockiy: I hope Hie lion, member will not question tlie ruling of tlie chair.

" In saying that," proceeded Air Harris, “ I do not suggest that the Government has been wilfully guilty of improper practice, but lias, in spite of repealed warnings failed lamentably to appreciate the grave importance of spurning anything that savours in anyway of tlie improper. Aly position then is: I have called public attention lo what I believe to be tactics which, if not rigorously checked, will aim a fatal blow at Hie purity of our public life; and I consider I would lie failing In my duty were I to refrain from doing so. In saying what I have 1 wish lo assure the Government that I am actuated solely by a sincere regard for its welfare, and a jealous respect for llic maintenance of its good name.”. MR COATES’ COMMENT. "LET DOWN TOO LIGHTLY.” “WE DON'T WANT HIAI.” (By Telegraph.—Press Asscciatlon.) AUCKLAND, Wednesday. The Prime Minister, Air Coates, accords his full support lo the actingleader of the House (Hon. W. Downie Stewart), in Ills castigation in Parliament of Mr A. Harris, member for Wuiteinata, for the latter’s attack on Hie honesty of purpose of the Government with respect to the application of the Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill to Takapuna. “ f endorse every word Air Downie Stewart said,” Air Coates remarked. “In fact, I think Air Stewart let him down too lightly. I would have used much stronger language. If a member cannot support us on the grounds of honesty of purpose we have no use for him. Wo don't want him.” When Hie Prime .Minister’s attention was drawn lo the announcement that Air Harris intends to reserve freedom of action regarding his attendance at Reform Party caucuses, Air Coates remarked: “That’s all right, lie can do what he likes. Wo don’t want him. He can go home as far as we arc concerned.” MR HARRIS’ REJOINDER. NO CHANGE IN ATTITUDE. RIGHT OF CRITICISAI RESERVED. (By Telegraph.—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The outspoken comment the Prime Minister Air Coates made in Auckland yesterday with reference to tlie position of Air A. Harris (Waitemata) was replied to by the member in question Hus morning. “I am not going to quarrel with the Prime Minister though," said Mr Harris to your representative, “ liut my reply to him is that my first responsibility is lo my constituents, who have returned me to Parliament. It is true that they have returned me as a supporter of the Coates’ Government, and my support lias always been accorded to tiiat Government. consistent with my duty lo my constituency and in carrying out what I believe to be right, Mv attitude in that respect will remain unchanged, but I will certainly reserve lo myself the right lo offer what criticism I deem necessary to Hie Government’s legislative proposals. I feel that a member of a political party should be something more than a mere voting machine, pledged to follow his parti into llic lobby on every measure brought down, whether lie believes that measure to bo right or wrong, j think if that policy were less frequently adopted, many of Hie abuses which now quite unnecessarily attach to party politics, would be eliminated.”