PREMIER INDIGANANT

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1921, Page 4

PREMIER INDIGANANT

HOT WORDS WITH DR THACKER. AY EDDINGTON, Vov 18. Hot exchanges were heard between the Prime Minister and Dr Thacker, member for Christchurch East tonight when Mi' Massey was answering Dr Thacker’s financial debate criticisms. He strongly condemned Dr Thacker for making indefinite charges against the Government of corruption, declaring that this kind of criticism behind the shelter of Parliamentary privilege was the usual thing with this member, who ought, however, to recollect that there was a limit oven to Parliamentary privilege. Instead of making insinuations the member ought to give the Government, ail opportunity of dealing with the matter by making ileliiiito charges. Mr Eraser: Have you forgotten the old Reform innuendoes about the Dillera 1 pigeon-holes f 1 Mr Massey: When I had a charge to make 1 made if plainly and openly, and took the consequences. Mr Eraser: And never nroved it, Mr Massey: The lion, gentleman is more skilful in making innuendoes than the member to whom I have.referred. These remarks luid been made while Dr Thacker was absent from tbe House, lie came in at this point and tlio atmosphere immediately became stormy. "Dike the member for Rotorua, he savs things behind a mail's back." sho.ilcl Dr Thacker, The Prime Minister, for the benefit ot his critic, repealed his complaint, declaring that it was grossly unfair to make indefinite charges under shelter of privilege. “I chntlniige him," lie s.-iiil “to make a definite charge against, anv member of tlie Government, or the Government as a \vlmb> and will accept the challenge and ri«k my political position on the consequences. If lie is not able to do that let. him. for- ever hold his peace." Dr Thacker: Conic on the platform of tlie Wellington Town Hall. Yon are privileged here. Mr Massey: T want no privileges, f want a definite charge. Dr Thacker: I made a definite charge, that, you stuffed your oominitfcos.

Mr Massev: That's nothing. {Loud laughter!. Nobody takes any notice of that. What T meant was that it. was aliened that T had used public money for our personal and political interests. Dr Thacker: T did not say public money. T said private money. Don’t get. excited. Mr Massey: lie is afraid to stand ill) to ft. Dr Thacker: T cannot stand tip when you are standing. Yon sit down. Mr Massey (heatedly) : Go outside and make a charge. Dr Thacker: Go on to the Town Hall platform. Mr Mas«ov (scornfully) : And discuss nmtiers with you I Do you think T have fallen so low ns that ! (Cries of “Oh! Oh!’”). Dr Thacker: No gentleman would sav a thing like that'. You are sorry for it. Mr Massey: T know a. gentleman when T meet him. Dr Thacker: T know an angry gentlemen. too. Mr Massey: T don’t get angry. Imt T become indignant when T meet someone of vnur ealibre.