Member and Solicitor

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 23, 7 December 1910, Page 5

Member and Solicitor

A lively incident which almost culminated in a bout of fisticuffs took place in the lobbies of the House of Representatives at the supper adjournment on Thursday. Events leading to the incident are worth chronicling. They were connected with the passage of the Mining Act Amendment Bill. A Wellington solicitor who is closely associated with the directorate of one of the Hauraki mines, was seated on the floor of tha House during the time that the measure in question was under consideration. His Ibehaviour was such that a Government member on one of the back benches rose in his place, and protested that a stranger was participating in the proceedings. ‘'When you sit here,” he said, ‘"and find representatives of the employers discussing a bill that is before the House with persons who are responsible for the drafting of the bill—l am speaking of the Departmental officers —I say it is futile for the people of this country to send representatives to Parliament, and all that is required to be done is to send representatives of various factories and let them put legislation on the Statute Book.” Eater on another member who represents a mining constituency in the Auckland district emphatically protested against the same tactics by the same man. When the House rose at 9.30 p.m. for supper after pasing the bill the Auckland member and the Wellington solicitor met in the lobby. The solicitor openly accused the member in the hearing of others with prevaricating. .“What?” asked the legislator. “You have been telling lies again,” asserted the solicitor. The goldfields representative made no attempt to mince matters. Gripping the person who had insulted him firmly iby the throat he demanded an immediate apology. No reply was vouchsafed. The Legislator tightened his hold, and being a man of stalwart build he had no trouble in handling his opponent. “Apologise, or take the consequences,” was the ultimatum. For a moment the person threatened with chastisement wriggled, then realising that discretion would in this case be the better part of valour he mumbled the apology and escaped with collar torn and demeanour ruffled through the lobby. Ignoble Strife. In the Legislative Council last week, the Attorney-General (Dr. Findlay) moved that the report of the Select Committee on Mr. Hine’s charges against the Hon. T. K. Macdonald be agreed to. Dr. Findlay regretted that while much time, energy, and money were wasted in ignoble strife, the real duties of Parliament were ignored or poorly regarded. He proceeded to vindicate the Hon. T. K. Macdonald in regard to his connection with the land transactions which formed the basis of the charges against him. He contended that it was plainly Mr. Hine’s purpose to leave a uasty taste in the mouth of the public over the whole affair.' Mr. Macdonald was only an incident in this political inquisition. What significance had a Wellington agent’s commission in Mr. Hine’s eyes, unless he eould make it a means of discrediting and dishonouring a great name in the eause of Liberalism. But Mr. Hine stood convicted of hypocrisy not only by his conduct but by his words. He began the inquiry by disavowing imputations against the late Mr. Seddon, and through his lawyers proceeded to cast as much suspicion on his memory as he indirectly could. Mr. Hine had throughout the support and approval of the Opposition party, and that party along with himself had committed themselves to methods of political warfare which surely must make every fairminded man sorry, if not indignant. Concluding, he said it was a question whether members of Parliament should be forbidden to act as commission agents in these circumstances. Probably they should. Lately in the Municipal Corporations, Harbour Boards, and Hospitals and Charitable Aid Boards Acts there had been made very stringent provisions against the chance, however remote, of a man’s private profit and his public duty coming into contest, and he was disposed to think that consistency, if nothing else, demanded similar stringent provisions with regard to the Legislature. The Hon. ,T. Rigg asked what steps ♦he Attorney-General proposed to take in regard to the breach of privilege which

the Council had decided Lad 'been committed. The Attorney-General said that later on he would bring down some definite proposals as to suggested legislation, and also on the question of privilege. It would be better, however, to defer action for a little. The report was adopted. The Imperial Conference. The Prime Minister outlined to members of the House of Representatives a series of resolutions which he proposes to submit to the Imperial Conference. They include proposals for the appointment of a “Council of Empire,” to consist of representatives from all the selfgoverning colonies and dependencies, and to take cognizance of “all questions affecting the interests of the overseas dominions,” an appeal for universal penny postage, improved cable facilities, reduction of rates, the extension of “wireless,” and the advocacy of «n “All Red” mail service, the exemption of colonial bonds from Stamp Duty, the remission of Income Tax now paid at Home by persons already paying Colonial Income Tax, a uniform code of laws in regard to deserted and destitute persons throughout the Empire, greater uniformity in regard to copyright and patent right, naturalisation and immigration, currency, and coinage, in every quarter of the Imperial dominions. Thrown From a Trap Ou Thursday a young man named J. A. Knowles, employed in Dalgety’s stock department, Timaru, was thrown out of a trap near Saltwater Creek and killed. Water Power. Speaking in the House of Representatives last week, Sir Jos. Ward said he resented the suggestion that the Government’s water po-wer scheme was a leap in the dark. It was admittedly an undertaking to be approached with caution; likewise, no big project could be taken without a certain element of risk. If the Government had waited for figures to prove that there was no risk this country would not possess the railways, tramways, telegraphs, and various State Departments which gave cheap and effective services to the public. At the present time in this country great water power was going to waste, and the Government had no right to fail in its dutv 'because of a possible risk. The development of the scheme would be carried out with the greatest prudence. There was no country in the world possessing such great possibilities for the harnessing of water power. He ventured the opinion that the development of one of these schemes, preferably Lake Coleridge, for the supply of electricity in Canterbury would be attended with such success that there w'ould be a demand from all parts of the Dominion for further development. Best Developed Man. Arangements are being made for the holding in Christchurch, next October, of a physical development competition for the selection of the best devloped man in New Zealand. The various physical culture schools throughout the Dominion are being approached, and a large entry seems to be assured. The competition will be the first of its kind in New Zealand, though local competitions have been held in most of the centres. Mr. P. A- Hornibrook is secretary of the committee which has the undertaking in hand. Wanted a Capital Mr. Laurenson moved to reduce the vote for new buildings by £ 1 as an indication that the House was of opinion that before expending more money on public buildings in Wellington the Government should take steps to ascertain the cost of founding a new capital city. He was, he said, finnly convinced that the day was not far distant when the seat of Government would be removed from Wellington to a place where conditions were more favourable. The only thing to oppose the project was the vested interests of Wellington. All he asked was that full inquiry should be made. It was nearly midnight when Mr. Laurenson spoke, and members were obviously opposed to spending valuable time in discussing the subject.

Sir Joseph Ward briefly pointed oui the difficulties of even the consideration of such a proposal as that suggested. Mr. Glover urged the claims of Auckland as the capital, but the House exhibited a considerable degree of impatience in spite of its natural tendency to hilarity on such an occasion as this, and it was evident that the amendment was not accepted seriously. ‘"Vote,” sang out several members, and the House voted: For Mr.*Laurenson, 23; against Mr. Laurenson, 39. Auckland Customs Duties. The Customs duties collected at the port of Auckland for the month of November last amounted to £58,987 compared with £44,566 for the corresponding month of last year, an increase of £ 14,421. The surtax amounted to £1279, and the beer duty to £2610, as against £2427. The exports maintained a satisfactory position, and in some of the more important lines there were large increases. Gold increased to the extent of £13,787, butter by £6364, timber by £4BBI, wool by £5439, while kauri gum retained the prominent position it occupied in the corresponding period last year, and skins, tallow, and cheese showed little movement. There was a considerable falling off in frozen beef, hides and silver. The comparative figures for the two months under review are a<s follows: — Nov. 1910 Nov. 1909.

KXc. Peter B»wll»r Mr. Peter Bowling, who arrived from Sydney by the Warrimoo last week, was entertained by the Socialist party in Wellington, about a hundred being present. ' Asked by a “Post” reporter as to the object of his visit to New Zealand, Mr. Bowling said:—“My mission is to assist in consolidating the industrial organisation of the workers of New Zealand. The experience of my past career confirms me in my conviction of the necessity of industrial organisation on the basis of a thorough knowledge of class interest. 1 am convinced, too. of the futility of forming a Labour party until you have the industrial organisation, and I recognise the absurdity of arbitration. I hope to see established in N- w Zealand an organisation which will lead all industrial organisations in the Southern seas. This is quite possible, and, indeed, easier of accomplishment here than perhaps it might be in the Commonwealth of Australia. The reason is that in this country the Labour politician so-called has not got so big a hold of the industrial position as he has in Australia.” A Peculiar Contest A novel wager has recently been made in a Wellington club, the parties to the affair being two well known racing men, and the sum at stake is £2.01)0 (remarks the “Dominion”). The conditions of the bet are that a Wellington owner selects a pedestrian to beat a horse on the road to Auckland and back to Wellington again in February next. The horse may be ridden by the lightest weight available, and may go at any pace, while the man will not be restricted to walking. It is understood that the horse selected will probably be a “musterer,” while the man selected to defend the other side of the bet may be a well-known champion—at least the backer hopes to secure the services of

•uch a man. Both rider and pedestrian will be allowed the services of a man ®n a motor-eyele to' convey information as to the position of their opponents. Experience of previous similar contests is said to favour the pedestrian, as it has been that horse's “crack up” on the roads under the conditions. Mr. Taylor Raises a Storm. An angry scene pccurred in the House last week, when Mr. T. E. Taylor took up the cudgels in defence of the Premier against recent attacks through the medium of some scurrilous literature. Mr. Taylor said there was a spirit of malignity and hostility to the Liberal party in this country's Conservative journals, which rendered it impossible to go to their columns for an impartial view on any political question. Irately there had been in circulation the most discreditable piece of literature that had ever been circulated in connection with New Zealand’s polities. The pamphlet in question was designed to injure politically a man with whom he (Mr. Taylor) was in frequent disagreement (the Prime Minister). The pamphlet was the greatest scandal that had ever occurred. Whether Opposition members approved of it he did not know. (Opposition dissent.) It was quite certain, however, that the pamphlet was being received with gleeful approval by thousands of people who .supported Opposition in this country. It had been approved by men who hoped that it was going to have a destructive effect against the man at whom it was aimed. The kind of publication to which he had referred was being received with approval by certain newspapers in New Zealand, which placed no restriction upon political hostility. Several Opposition members demanded, “Name! Name one!” Mr. Taylor replied that he would; He had scarcely ever picked up a copy of the Opposition paper in Wellington that did not contain most undulterated poison with regard to political views. Mr. Anderson, in a loud interjection, declared this to be a lie—a statement which he was compelled to withdraw. The Speaker had repeatedly to call members to order for interjecting, and he at last threatened to name the next offender. Air. Massey said the speech of the member for Christchurch North had been a weak and hopeless apology for the Government. The tactics of the member in question were well-known. They talked of “attacking a dead man.” ,It was not so long ago since Mr. Taylor had made an attack upon a man whose boots he was not lit to clean. Air. Taylor's political history proved that he was a curse to any party to which he belonged. It was because of his attack on the late Mr. Seddon, and a mistaken idea that the Opposition sympathised with him, that the Opposition party had been squashed at elections five years ago. Air.* Taylor's attack upon Air. Seddon was disgraceful. The attempt to make believe that the Opposition was in any way associated with the wretched pamphlet issued concerning the Prime Minister was despicable. Any man asserting that the Opposition had any thing to do with it was guilty of deliberate falsehood. Mr. McKenzie: Who paid for publication of the pamphlet? Air. Massey: It was published by a man named Black who runs a Socialist paper in Auckland. Air. McLaren: And who is behind him? Mr. Massey: You probably know as much about that as I do. Returning to his attack on Mr. Taylor, Air. Massey asked were that gentleman’s hands clean? He (Mr. Massey) was behind the scenes when a famous case in Christchurch arose. If it ever fell to his (Air. Massey’s) lot to be in a position to tell all he knew about Air. Taylor in connection with that case, then God help him! Air. Taylor: I challenge you to say now anything you know about me. A members What about innuendoes now ? Air. Massey: If I ever get permission to unseal my lips 1 will go to Christchurch and say what I have to say from the platform. If that day comes it wil! be the end of your political life. Air. Taylor: If you could have done anything it would have beea doue long

Terra Nora Salla. Tlie Terra Nova left Port Chalmers for the Antarctic punctually last Tuesday week. A half-holiday was observed at the port, where an abundance of flags was displayed, and all the shipping was dressed. A vast crowd assembled on the George-street pier, men manned the rigging, and much hearty cheering was ex-» changed. The Terra Nova was towed to sea by the Plucky, and the procession down to the Pleads was led by the train-ing-ship Amokura. Then followed the Terra Nova, with the tug Plucky alongside. The defence steamer Lady Roberts, with Lieutenant-Colonel .Smyth (Officercommanding the Otago district) ami officers in uniform on board, and crowded excursion steamers followed. Long lines of motor craft and sailing yachts brought up the rear. The pilot was dropped at the Heads, and Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Wyatt, who travelled down from the port on the Terra Nova, were handed into the tug. Outside the Heads the Amokura and Lady Roberts fired a salute of six guns, ensigns were dipped, and the tug easting off. the Terra Nova steered southward for the Pole. Captain Scott, interviewed before leaving. wished to thank the people for their great kindness to him and his party. He deelined to say anything concerning the rival South Polar expedition from Norway. The expedition left full of confidence and in excellent spirits. A Political Cartoon. In consequence of a political cartoon published on Saturday last, Mr. Massey has issued a writ against the “New Zealand Times,” claiming £.2.000 damages for libel. Auckland Harbour Defences. AU Lord Kitchener’s proposals. for the harbour defences of tire Dominion are being carried out by the Government, and one of the most important, of the Field-Marshal’s suggestions was for the establishment of a fort at Burton’s Point, Lake Takapuna. This will take the place of the present fort at Takapuna Head, or Stark’s Point, as it was formerly called. Lord Kitchener condemned this spot as soon as he saw it, and indicated Burton's Point, which is further seaward, as the proper - place to defend. The property ’ has been valued on behalf of the owners, but nothing definite has yet been done in the matter of the negotiations. The intentions of tiie Government are indicated in the Supplementary Estimates, which were brought down last week. One of the items is £2,000 as the first instalment of a £lO,OOO vote for the acquisition of land at Burton’s Point for defence purposes. The usual method in cases where the Government takes land for public purposes is for each side to appoint valuers, and if no agreement is come to, then the matter is referred to arbitration. Increased Revenue. In the House of Representatives on Friday, the Prime Minister read returns of revenue for the eight months ended-November 30, showing the increases in the various Departments to be as follows:—Customs £247,773 Stamps 158,289 Post and Telegraph 10,809 Land and income tax 12,387 Biu-r duty 1,000 Railways 184,970 Marine 2,017 Territorial 31,408 The decreases were :—Registration and other fees £798, and miscellaneous £2058, making the actual increase for eight months £ 045,930. Cheap Money. Speaking in the Houec of Representatives on Friday, Sir Joseph Ward predicted that lower rates of interest would prevail in the near future than had been the ease for the last aeyen or eight years. This, he said, would lead to increased industrial activity.

Butter £ .... 94,928 £ 88,504 Cheese .... 2291 2,3*6 Frozen beef ... . .... 428 4,025 Phoriuni .. . . 5.915 6,058 Kauri sum . .. . .... 30,948 30.960 Hides .... 965 2,582 Skins .... 22-39 2.031 Tallow . . .. 4.920 Timber .... 21.125 16,244 Wool .... 18,441 13,002 Gold .... 100,281 86,404 Silver .... 6.709 15.239