A REGRETTABLE INCIDENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1918, 28 November 1913, Page 6

A REGRETTABLE INCIDENT.

TiiK_New Zealand -House of Itcpresentatives has not often been disgraced by anything in the nature of gross disorder or persistant disregard for (ho authority of Urn Chair; but of latD there has been, a- growing tendency to depart from the accepted rules of Parliamentary debate, and this laxity has more than once nearly resulted in serious unpleasantness. No one objects to occasional interjections of a relevant and courteous nature, but unless they are kept well within bounds they are very apt to arouse angry feelings, and' lead to regrettable incidents, If, is a good rule that every member should be required to address his remarks to the Chair, for this goes a long way towards prcvcntiiiK those mutual recriminations'which are the first steps U open disorder. During the prcsentsession both the Speaker and the Chairman of Committees have frequently appealed to members to refrain as far as possible from interjections during speeches. Mn. Payne, the member for Grey Lynn', has been the worst offender in this matter, and he has been requested r.t various times to discontinue his persistent interruptions. Tnc climax was reached early yesterday morning durin'r the discussion of the Imprest Snpplv Hill. Mn. Fisher's speech was puneItinted by frequent comment:;, and tin; Speaker felt called upon to intervene peremntorily, and he warned Mn. Payne that lie would have to take severe measures if he continued Ids interruptions. Tile debate proceeded in a more, orderly manner for a time, but while ill;. Cajm'ISELE was op. his feet Mil. Payne made .another interjection, and then the Speaker took the extreme step of "naminii" (he member fur Grey Lynn, and called noon the PiiU.it' MiMßiiii; to take

action. Mn. Massky moved that Mr. Paynk be suspended for the remaincicv of the sitting, but he subsequently agreed to a suggestion that (lie matter be allowed to drop if the member for Grey Lynn apologised and expressed regret. This was done and the incidenrendad. Mk. Payne lias good reason to he thankful that he was let off so lightly. The Prime Minister would have been porfectlyj ustifled in insisting upon r. much more severe punishment than that originally proposed, for the Speaker remarked that since lie had been in the House—a period of over twenty years—he had never known any niembei' so constantly disobey the ruliniis of the Chair as. the member for Grey Lynn. It is to be hoped that this very regrettable occurrence will have the effect ot putting a stop to the objectionable habit of noisy interjections and frequent interruption of speakers with oftentimes offensive remarks. Parliament is cheapened and degraded by such undignified and uredifying exhibitions.