LIVELY SCENE IN PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 14 September 1901, Page 1 (Supplement)

LIVELY SCENE IN PARLIAMENT

A Tilt with the Premier.

(Special to Chexstchtjech Truth.)

Wellington, September 13. Mr Hardy, the member for Selwyn, covered himself with glory in a tilt with the Premier. Mr Collins had finished a short speech, and the Premier had come in with a bundle' of notes, with a view to making his reply and finishing the debate on the Financial Statement. Mr Seddon, however, reckoned without his host, for Mr Hardy, the energetic and hard-working member hr Selwyn, had a few words to say. It was an early night, the House having to rise at 10 30, and “ when Mr Hardy rose the Premier, recognising that he could not get his full hour to-night, and that his speech, if he commenced it at all, must necessarily be cut in two, was evidently very much annoyed. Mr Hardy had tot proceeded far when the Premier rose, and said the hon. member was reading his speech, which is contrary to the Standing Orders. Mr Hardy said he was not. He was speaking from his own notes. The Premier —Well, I don’t believe it. Cries of “Oh 1” The Deputy-Speaker said it was usual that the statement of an ,hon. member must bo accepted. Mr Atkinson—But the Premier says he does not.

Mr Seddon—He never made those notes.

Cries of “ Order.” Mr James Allen—Oh I yes, he did. Mr Hardy—ls the right hon. gentleman not satisfied? Mr. Seddon —I don’t believe it.

Renewed cries of “ Oh I oh 1 ” At this point things began to get rather unpleasant, and Mr James Allen rose to a point of order. He asked thp Speaker if the Premier was not bound to accept tho hon. member’s statement.

The Deputy-Speaker said ho was. Mr Snldon again said he did not believe what Mr Hardy stated. The Deputy-Speaker said ho must uphold the dignity and position of the ebair and of the House. He asked the Premier to withdraw his reflection upon the member for Selwyn. Mr Seddon—J have accepted the hon’ members statement, but what is in my •own conscience I give to no man. The Deputy-Speaker—Must I ask the Right Hon. the Premier to withdraw.

Mr Seddon—l withdraw it, but I do nob alter my conviction. The Deputy-Speaker was understood to say that was not a proper withdrawal, Mr Seddon said he accepted the ruling, but he still held the same conviction.

The Deputy-Speaker said Mr Seddon muse withdraw unreservedly.

Mr Seddon—Very well, I withdraw, and I will say, though, the bon, member was not competent to make such notes. The Deputy-Speaker—That is quite a different statement.

Mr Hardy, amid a burst of hearty laughter from the Opposition bench for his victory so far, thanked the Deputy Speaker for bis protection. He said ho did not want to hurt the Premier’s feelings, but if he cared to do so, he could make his hair stand on end by telling the Honsa some of the things he had done in trying to keep him (Mr Hardy) away from Parliament. (Laughter.) Mr Hardy, amid further merriment at the Premier’s expense, thanked the Deputy-Speaker for his sympathy. He explained that ho was a young member of the House, and not bo experienced as the Premier, but he was desirous of conforming with the Standing Orders.

' At a later stage Mr Siddon, apparently still very much annoyed, rose, and said the hon. member was reading another speech.

Mr Hardy denied this. Ho said he did not think ho could act like the Premier stall. (Laughter). Mr Atkinson You’re not like him. You have kept your temper. He has not. (More laughter).

Mr Hardy proceeded with his speech good humouredly, and the Premier, seeing the game was up, told Mr Stevens, the whip to “ get Tom Pratt.” Mr Stevens loft in a hurry, and presently Mr Parata was seen to enter the Chamber, take a seat, and commence to make a few notes on a sheet of foolscap. Ho was followed by an interpreter. Meanwhile, Mr Hardy was making good headway to tho evident chagrin of the Premier, and tho intense delight of the Opposition. Mr John Hutcheson left his seat and went up beside Mr Hardy ready to give him any advice 5! necessary.

Mr Hardy, however, was ’ more than equal fo the occasion. He described a visio of the late Mr John Ballance to his district, and told how Mr Ballance, looking around at the successful settlement, had said, “Well done, Mr Bolloston I To you belongs the honor of cur lands policy.” That, added Mr Hardy, was a generous tribute. The man who was generous enough to make that statement had had a monument erected to his memory on which was inscribed, “He loved the people.” When a memorial was erected—which be hoped it would be, in honor of our present Premier —(A Voice : Soon," and laughter) —“ we might well,” added Mr Hardy, “ inscribe it ‘He loved himself.’ ” (Laughter). Amid protestations from the Opposition benches, Mr Hardy said he was quite willing to give way to the Premier, as he did not consider himself a speaker at all. An hon. member—You’re doing very well. (Laughter) Another hon member—You’re going along all right now. - (Laughter.) Mr Hardy added tha l ; he was more a beast of burden. He did hard wo»k in the Committee, .whereas there were hon. members who never darkened the doors of the Committee rooms. He did not pose as being a good speaker. The Premier—You’re a very good reader, (Laughter.) Mr Hardy said ho would read a bit from the Budget, and he accordingly road a word or two about “our boys at, the front,” declaring that on the subject the Minister of Defence had talked a lot of twaddle. Ho referred 10 the fact that the Premier had promised to give to returned troopers their bandoliers and rifles, but they had not got them yet. Mr Atkinson—Did ho give them any pianos down your way ? (Laughter.) Mr Hardy was going on to ask the Premier if it was not a fact that ho has drawn JE4OOO last year in salary and travelling expenses, but determined to keep on the right side of the Standing Orders. Ho turned to the Speaker and asked if it was not a fact that the Premier had drawn that amount. This lad the member for Selwyn to hope Ministers would act square once more. The Premier rose to a point of order, and, amid laugher, he said he had never listened to.any thing like that before. He had never heard such a question put to the Speaker, neither had he heard a Minister of the Crown asked to act on the square The remarks were an insult to Ministers. Mr Seddon asked, in a serious tone, that the words be taken down. At this there was renewed amusement.

■The Deputy-Speaker said members must address the chair. With regard to the words in question, the hon. member hud said, “Act square," which was not a reflection oh Ministers

Mr Hardy explained that he had endeavoured to convey the meaning that he desired Ministers to act squarely. This again brought the Premier to his feet, but the Deputy-Speaker expressed the hope that the Premier would not take it in that way.

Mr Atkinson volunteered the advice to Mr Seddon, “You had better get somebody else, to run the show,” and Mr Hardy concluded with a parting shot at the Premier about the “flies in the amber.” If the Premier looked about him, in his own Cabinet he would see some of the flies. He did not conclude the reference by asking “ how the devil they got there,” but there is no doubt he meant it.

Then Mr Parata got up and talked in Maori, which had to be interpreted, while the foiled Premier resigned himself to his fate, and an amused house wreathed jtself into smiles.

It was the incident of the session, and the members for Selwyn had emerged from the duet scatheless.