AN OLD INCIDENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2216, 31 July 1914, Page 8

AN OLD INCIDENT.

_ During a lengthy discussion on tlie Lands report in the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. G. Witty brought up the Distress Limitation Bill: introduced by Mr. A. H. Eindmarsh last year. ' In reply 'to an' interjection, ho made the statement that the Prime Minister voted against the Bill. Mr. Massey: I did not. Mr. Witty proceeded to read a division list from Hansard. , "What was the motion?" asked Mr. Massey. ' • Mr. Witty: To report progress, whichwould have killed the Bill. Mr. Mnsscy: What was the hour? Mr. Witty (excitedly): Never mind the time. Mr. 'Massey: Two o'clock in tlie morning! Mr. Witty went on : to deal with the matter, but was stopped.by tlie Prime Minister risuig to a point of order: _had the Distress Limitation Um to do with the Lands report V 1 Mr. Speaker held that frequently speakers "were drawn aside from their point by repeated interjections. When his attention was called to it ho had to request tho member to return to tho subject-matter. *' ' Mr Witty: I think I should be allowed to finish this. Tho Prime Minister asked ine to prore my statement. I was only going to read the division to prove that ho voted against the Bill. Mr. Speaker: The honourable member has already done so. He can say which sidn he voted on. Mr. Witty: Very well. I voted to give assistance to distressed - persons, and the Prime Minister voted against it.' n Mr- 'Massey: Why, sir, we took up the Bill and put jt on the Statute Book, j