TENSE SITUATION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1927, Page 4

TENSE SITUATION

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WJiI.I.IMI'IOS. .Inly '

There was a tense situation in the J louse of Representatives this at tornoon for a few minutes, when the Leader of the Opposition, Mr !!. b. Holland, made an allegation that the Prime Minister had cut his Hansard proof in a recent speech on the troubles in Samoa.

Mr Holland credited the Prime Minister with the statement that there was |nn Intention ol 'deporting any Europeans from Samoa and lie repealed the lemark this aHeriioon.

Mr Coates was working at his desk but 1m lifted his head lor a moment to ask who had said that. Mr Holland: Ihe Prime .Minister. You can turn it up in Hansard.

Mi Coates: Aie via ipiite certain l Mi | lollaml: A < certain as tile Prim; Minister is uncomfortable in Ins seat. Mr Coates: Xot at ail urn omlm tablc. From v.liat are von quotingTbe ••Alaorilnml Worker!"” The subject was dropped lor a moment while. Mr Coates procured a cup.v of Hansard about this statement. "It is not in Hansard,” lie- interrupted a few' minutes later. Mr Holland; Yes, it is. Mr Coates: Here is a copy and it is not in here. Mr Holland: Then il it is not in, the right lion, gentleman must have cut il out of the proui. Mr Coates was cpiickly on his loot on a point of order. He asked the Speaker if a member could make such a statemen! about another member ol the House. He had not made the statement attributed In him, that ir> Kurpoean would be deported. It had been made as an interjection bv another member in the House. Ml- Holland said bis Hansard proof bad shown il was the Prime Minister who had made Llm interjection. Mr Coates: It was not mine. The House knows my views on that matter. I see the “Maorihnul Worker” quotes me as having said it. Mr Holland said he would have to accept the Prime Minister’s assurance.