MR. WHITE AND MR. HARRISON.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1289, 16 September 1872, Page 2

MR. WHITE AND MR. HARRISON.

The following is the report of one of the scenesfduring the deliveiy of Mr White's speech :— Mr White-: I wish to point out that an x 4ss9Piatipn, consisting as thia does of two Ministers of the Crown, ancf'lhe third being one of the >most subservient and unscrupulous supporters 'of "the Ministry, cannot— . , The Speaker : Does the honorablg'nYember apply the epithet " unscrupulous " to the honorable member for Grey Valley ? Mr White . I did, Sir. Tho Speaker ; lam sure the honorable member will see that such a term is not a proper one to apply to any honorable member. . : . -/..-.* ' Mr White: I will withdra% the \ jferni -'■'• unscrupulous," but. l may be allowed, I presume, to think, just the saipie..,.l.will go back to the point-^- — Mr Fox : Sir, I must observe that it is very derogatory to r the 'dignity -qi this , House for honorable members to act) in .that way. I hope the honorable member for Hokitika , will be compelled .to 'withdraw the expression, arid not be ; allowed merely to change the mode of applying it, "as he has done. ; ;- .■ ; . The. Speaker : It is very clear that the honorable' member for Hokitika applied the word "unscrupulous" in a manner to "affix a personal stigma on 'the honorable member for Grey Valley; ' :u '' ■' •■■'■"' 1 Mr White': I should be sorry to attach any personal stigma to: the honorable, member for Grey> Valley. -> •'.<• ■.- .. The Speaker : I referred to the ; honorable member, as a matter of good taste, to withdraw the expression. • < i . -Mr. White .:• I referred.to the honorable member as an unscrupulous i supporter of the General Government, and referred to public affairs alone! , I h^ve nothing agaiu?t him in his private capacity. I alluded to jihe honorable member as a public'man. I say the honorable member is ah unscrupulous supporter of the present Government, but if that expression is unsatisfactory, I.will withdraw it. ' The Speaker : I must say it is not in accordance with the practice of Parliament to repeat an offensive word in that way, merely in order to withdraw it immediately after.' I wish to give honorable members every proper latitude, but while I have the honor of sitting in this chair, I will do my utmost to prevent the feelings of any honorable member being wounded in his private pharactep, 1 Mr Harrison: Sir, in rising to speak to the point of order, I. wish to tell the House it is utterly unnecessary to suppose that I have any objection, on account of my personal feelings, to anything the honorable member- may say, and I, can assure honorable members his "remarks have not the slightest effect in that direction. ! ' ' f . ■'' Mr White: I am a young member of the House, but it has been : my fate to read speechei delivered in> other Houses of Parliament, Parliaments of far greater, importance than this, and I have found much stronger, language used, and the member using it was not called to order.. I wish to repeat that I referred exclusively to the honorable member for Grey Valley in his public capacity. , If, Sir, you rule it out of order, I do not'wish to repeat the word. It is very rarely indeed, .Sir, I come under your correction for, in niy 'remarks, oyefgtepping proper bounds, and I would sooner be as tame as (t skimmilk" than say anything which the Hon. the^Speaker would consider too strong.