A DISORDERLY POLITICIAN

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 623, 29 November 1913, Page 5

A DISORDERLY POLITICIAN

MR PAYNE NAMED. AN APOLOGY ACCEPTED. A succession of Ministerial speakers attacking Federation of Labour doctrines in Pariianient on Thursday, provoked Messrs Payne and Webb to a ; running fire of interruption, which led to serious steps being taken in respect of Mr Payne in the House of Representatives. The Hon. Fisher declared that the Federation of Labour had intimidated men from working. Its advocates, he said, had actually urged that blackberry and sorrel seeds be spread on special constables' farms. The country could decline or be terrorised by tha Federation. Mr Payne constantly denied allegations made by the Minister, the result of his interruptions being that the Speaker warned him that he was guilty of disorderly conduct, which, if continued, would result in his suspension for the day's sitting, which would be letting-him off lightly. Mr Campbell attacked the Federation of Labour, alleging that its leaders advocated setting fire to farmers' hay, and Mr Payne (who kept up a running interruption) characterised this a? ridiculous. The Speaker intervened, stating, "I was going to suspend the member for Grey Lynn till the end of the sitting. Now I shall name John Payne for disorderly conduct, for disobeying the ruling of the chair, and ask the Leader of the House to take what stepi he thinks necessary." Mr Payne: Can I speak to that? Mr Speaker: You cannot. Mr Massey regretted that there was only one course to follow. He proposed to be as lenient as possible, and would move. "That on account of his disorderly conduct the member for Grey Lynn be suspended for the remainder of ins sitting." Mr Payne was requested to retire, and did so smiling. Mr Webb protested against the motion. declaring that Ministerialists spoke directly at his colleague, asking him if this was true or that right, and challenged him to answer. Mr Massey: "So far as I am concerned I have no wish to press the motion to the extreme point, but there has been far too much disorder during the last few weeks, and something must be done to stop it." If Mr Payne expressed regret and apologised for his disorderly conduct, he (Mr Massey) would ask the House to allow the j motion to iapse. Mr Panye having been sent for, said he had no intention to be offensive. The Speaker declared: You must not attempt to justify your behaviour. During twenty years I have been in the Bouse I have never known any member more constantly disobeying the ruling of the Chair, and behaving in a disorderly manner. Mr Payne .'hen expressed regret that he had caused trouble, and withdrew any offenive remarks he might have Txlßae. Mr Massy withdrew the motion, and business proceeded. err. - rrrrrf ' j