PLAIN TALK IN PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1905, 13 November 1913, Page 9

PLAIN TALK IN PARLIAMENT.

AN "AFTERTHOUGHT." MR. E. TREGEAR, J.P., 1.5.0; HIS REFERENCE TO "OUTCASTS." VARIOUS QUESTIONS ANSWERED,

References wore made in the House of Representatives yesterday to tiio language used by Mr. Edward TrsgeaT in referring to the special police (according to his own revised version) as come from the country."

Replying to Mr. H. J. H. Gkoy's question on the subject tho Prime Minister stated: "Mr. Trcgear denies tho accuracy of tlio report of h.ia speech as it appeared in- the newspapers, but the Government is still ill communication with him on the subject." Mr. G. V. L'earce also gave notice of $. question concerning Mr. Tregear. Ho suggested that Mr Tregear's namo should bo removed from the. roll of Justices of tlw Piac.e on account of his scurrilous references to tho fat-mars now tn Wellington to preserve law and order.

Mr. P. C. Webb tried to excuse Mr. Tiegear by quoting Mr, IVcgoaj's correction of the Press report, • but the quotation was greeted with ironical laughter, and an lionou-rahlo .member declined that it was "an -afterthought," Mr, Wobh also claimed that Mr. Tregear was aft altogether admirable gentleman, on a of those who had pioneered this country. This was denied in several quarters, and Mr. Nosworthy, addressing Mr, Webb, declared: "He's a fair speeiin.cn of the lot of you," Mr, H. J, H. Okcy said he had not, asked the question until t#Q days after the reoort appeared. Ho had purposely delayed tho question. "And look at Ill's correction," he .said. "It is just a. way of getting out- of ib. I bolievo Mr. Tregoar made those- statements as tlroy appear in tho notice, and as they appeared in two or three papers. 1 maintain that when we have a reflection brought- a-pon peoplo coming fro-ln tho country to protect their trade -in Wellington., wo in this Houso have a right to protect men. I am going to take Uj) that position." Mr. W. Kosworthy Was equally emphatic. "I, liko the member for Tara-na-ki," lie said, "believo the -statement reported as made by Mr. Tregear was tio .actual statement 'ho iiiade, that the contradiction was not itiado until after tho question had been asked in the House. ' I think it is a very disgraceful thing that a final who lias hec-n a Civil Servant, who is drawing a Civil Service pension, who has been honoured b } v His Majesty with tlio Imperial Service Order, should make such a statement about tho farmers of this country, and I, as a farmer, am not going to sit dawn } not even for tho member'for Grey, when I liear these statements made about the men wh'n havo eomo into the.-cities to keep order." A man who would mako such remarks, ho added, was no better than "a political skunk."

Mr. C. A. Wilkinson said that lie took great exception to tho statements made by Mr. Trcgc-ar, seven according to his friends' version. Many of th<s> men to whom Mr. Tregear had referred as outcasts were so*mo of the best men in New Zealand, An lionourab.lo member of the House had guilt} of calling the. men 'bushrangers, . Mr. Webb: It is truo.

ftfr. 'Wilkinson: It is not true. Bp declared that the holt. fnomber ought to ; l)q ashamed of himself for ' litmng sajd it, and; he would ha call™! to ac* "Otmfc for it if ho was not careful. Ho (Mr. Wilkinson) would not remain silent and hear statements of the sort .made by Mr. Trcgear and Mr. Welsh about mon who wore Iris friends.