"NEW TACTICS."

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 892, 11 August 1910, Page 5

"NEW TACTICS."

RESENTED BY MR. MASSEY. )VARM RETORT BY THE PREMIER. "DON'T LOSE YOUR TEMPEE." There was a strong conflict of opinion between Mr. Massey (Leader of the Opposition) and the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. It arose over the laying upon the tablo of a return' on tho importation, of Oregon pine which had been ordered on the motion of a private member. Desiring to discuss the contents of' Iho return, Mr. Smith, M.P. for Rangitikci, rose to speak, but he was prevented from developing his views until the Hon. G. Towlds, who was presenting tho 1, document, agreed to move that it be printed. By way of a preface to his remarks Mr. Smith said he hoped that members would excuse him for his persistence in endeavouring to bring up the matter in the House. It was true that ho was not yet fully acquainted with the forms of the House; still his intentions were good. Mr Smith then went on to offer excuses for not being so prepared to speak on the subject as ho would have liked. The fact was he said that ho had only heard that the paper was to be brought down just before ho came into the House, and therefore had had time only to look up a few facts and figures. This announcement seemed to come as a surprise: to many mombers. Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, referred first of all:to the desirableness of an alteration to tho rule which precluded discussion of such a return unless tho Minister who was laying it on the table moved that it lie printed. It might happen that a Minister might refuse to move: that a return be printed. That would bo extremely annoying if the document related to a matter of considerable importance. He would like to know if ' the: Minister would have been so obliging on that occasion had an Opposition member desired to discuss the return. Mr. Massey went on to say that he noticed that Mr. Smith had been notified that tho return was going to bo '"•ought down prior to coming into the House. Since, Mr. Ell had become senior Whip he had noticed that a number of new tactics ,had been adopted. Up' till then he had said nothing on tho point but this was such a glaring'case that he could not refrain from drawing attention to it. Mr. Massey added that he gathered from Mr. Smith's remarks, that he had had time to' get figures on thosubject from the labour' Department. The Hon. G. Powlds said that if Mr/ Smith knew that ho was going .to bring down the paper he knew.more than ho did himself, - ■ Mr. Massey: The fact.remains that Mr. Smith knew before he came into the House, and he came prepared with ■. a, number of documents. , It is unfair; I never kiinw, an Opposition member who has been'given such information. It gives the Ministers an unfair, advantage. I hope that the Hon. the Speaker will bring the matter before the Standing Orders Committee, of which he N is chairman. '"• ' , Mr. Smith said that he would like to contradict Mr. Massey. Hehadheen'in the Government -Whip's room, and' Mr. Ell had told him that ; the ■ paper was being presented, seeing that h"e was interested in' the matter. Then he had rushed into the House. ; ' ; Sir Josenh: Before or after the House metp '.' "." ... ' '~ ■:" ' .-. • Mr. Smith (after a pause): After.the House met."" : • :' Sir Joseph: Did you , get. any figures from the Labour Department? - -, ; ' Mr. Smith: No. ; . Sir Joseph wont on to say that it was clear that Mr. Smith' got notice of tho paper after the Minister had presented it. (Oh, oh's.) ' • . ; I •' Mr. .Massey: How many seconds doos it tako te lay a paper on the table? (Laughter.) ] The Prime Minister speaking warmly) said that members'on the Government' 1 side were under no obligation to study the Leader of the Opposition. He supposed Mr. Massey would continue to cast aspersions.and innuendoes., :,. . •;,:■• Mr. Massey:' Don't lose your temper* Sir Joseph: I have liono to lose.' Resuming, Sir-Joseph said that he had not informed Mr'. Smith nor anyone else that the paper was to be brought down. Tho "tactics" to which. Mr. Massey had referred existed only in his own imagination. He congratulated Mr. Smith on the way in which ho had "tumbled" Mr. Massey down. Mr. Massey:'You can't do it. j Sir Joseph: I. have done it many times. '.■''.' Mr. Massey said that he could not understand tho tactics which wero being, followed this session. How came it that the debate was allowed to be intercepted by a discussion on a separate subject, as was proposed. It only meant a waste of time, and towards the end ofHhe session there would be the usual helter-skelter ind hurly-burly. Sir Joseph: There has been no attempt to introduce any tactics to delay business. Business has gone on very well- 1 on the Whole. Personally, I am perfectly satisfied..