THE VOUCHER FABLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1549, 4 September 1905, Page 2

THE VOUCHER FABLE.

HOW PUBLIC BUSINESS IS

DELAYED.

Tbo usual vouchor discussion took place in the House on Thursday evening, whoh Mr Taylor sought to defond the four men who bad BWorn to the vouoher. Mr Taylor said he wanted an assuranoe that the House would not be deprived of tho opportunity of disoußising the report. In viow of the conflict of testimony, he was bound to stand in defence of the four honorable men who were bis constituents, and to protect them as far as possible from any arbitrary punishment which it micht be proposed to mete out to them. The words which the Premier had need on the previous day meant, in the opinion of many members, that the dismissal of these four men was intended. The House should not be deprived of its opportunity of expressing its opinion of the report. Tho Premier (who had entered the Chamber since tb° commencement of the discussion) said that Mr Taylor was disobeying the ruling of the Chair that ha .could not discuss the report. Mr Taylor, in the course of his turtoer remarks, said that the Premier transgressed the rules of the House more than any other member. Mr Seddon said that this statement was absolutely inoorroot. ' The Speaker said that Mr Taylor must accept the Premier’s denial. “ I will accept it,” said Mr Taylor, amidst a titter of laughter, “ and no doubt the audible smile of members is very gratifying to the Premier." (Laugn-

te -Mr Fisher said members were getting somewhat tired of the question. (Government " hear, hears.") "Wo waul to faoe the musio," be continued. "We want to have the matter ended one way or tne other as soon as possible,” The Premier said tho arrangement was that the question should be discussed that afternoon, and that the land debate should take place that evening. As to Mr Taylor, what had taken plaoe was evidenoe of a brazen-faced effrontery. , . The Speaker called the Premier to 0t The Premier eald Mr Taylor was dead to the finer feelings of humanity. Mr Taylor: I meet you ml your own level. Don't go too far. I’ll go baok into an old subject. The Premier went on, to say that tne Government was not going to disorganise the business of the'cduntry to deal with a matter that had already Seen dealt with, K,nd to which there was no reply. He had no doubt that Mr Fisher was very tired of it, ana that if he had followed the dictates of his own better nature, instead of the advice of others, his unfortunate position to-day would have been avoided. Mr Fisher: That is absolutely untrue. Mr Seddon: He says he wants to face tho music. The tune he has been playing grates on the feelings of everyone in the House and in the oolony. Mr Seddon went on to refer to the low level, to which their politics were sinking. 7At one time it was an honor to bo a member of the House. Now their political life was being lowered. • Mr Taylor: You have done it yourself. The Premier aaid he had not done it. Mr Taylor: What about your Hioemoa 1 expenses ? That’s a fair question. The Premier: When everything else fails him, the hon. member tri»?-ia dn(S%; ' something else into the maelstrom that he and his friends havo formed. The Pra- ! mier went on to say that with regard to E the officers at Christchurch, the situation ’ had been created by dishonorable aotioo. ' It meant a lowering of the service, and throughout tbe service there was one voioo ’ cryiDgout against what had been done. That would not cause the Government to r do that whioh was unjust, or act harshly, ' or violate the rules of the service, They would be dealt with in accordance with the > rules of the servioe. It was‘possible an* other course would bo taken outside these men altogether, which probably Mr Fisher would appreciate. He (tho Premier) ob* 1 jedted to the steppage of all business in ’ order to proofed with the. voucher before s the eviderjoii was before members. The 1 evidence in the press was not sufficient to enable members to go on with the. ques- ' tion. The report would: be dealt with, the evidenoe would be printed ; but it would not be dealt with until the House had gone into the Lahd Commission's report, aud the resolutions bearing upon it. He would treat the remarks of Mr Taylor ' with the oontempt they deserved, The 1 time had oome when Ministers; should no longer be attackea’by members who gained their information from sources that were tainted - and involved in dishonor. He concluded with a positive assurance that - an opportunity would be given of disoussing the report. He was not going to allow those who had wronged him, and had wronged, the country,' and lowered the tone of Parliament, to dictate the day and the hour when this matter ehould be diecussed, s . ■ • ~ v • "1; The viatter then dropped.