The Mouse And The Fox

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31087, 16 June 1966, Page 16

The Mouse And The Fox

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 15. A member of Parliament reverted to Latin today—and was asked to withdraw the remark— Parturiunt montes; nascitur ridiculus mus.”

During the debate on the Crimes Amendment Bill, Sir Leslie Munro (Govt, Waipa), used the phrase to refer to a Labour member who criticised remarks he had made earlier in Parliament

On a point of order, Dr. A. M. Finlay (Opp., Waitakere) asked whether it was in order to describe the member for Waitemata (Mr N. J. King) as a “ridiculous mouse.” If that was the term used it was out of order and must be withdrawn, ruled the Chairman of

Committees (Mr R. E. Jack). Sir Leslie withdrew it “It was a Latin statement” he said. (The Latin quotation, roughly translated, is “The mountain moved and produced a ridiculous mouse.”) Later tonight yet more Latin was used in the House.

Mr W. A. Fox (Opp, Miramar), during the debate on the House Buyers Protection Bill, asked the Attorney ■ General (Mr Hanan) whether “caveat emptor”—“let the buyer beware”—was a principle of law.

Mr Hanan replied with a phrase in Latin. “That’S ‘Beware of the dog,’” he translated. “What’s beware of the fox,” asked Mr Fox.