"Learned Friends"

Levin Daily Chronicle, 20 February 1917, Page 3

"Learned Friends"

IiRISK VERBAL *ENOOU'NT!ESRS (N.Z. Times.)

One or two sharp passages-at-arms took place between Mr T. M. 'Wilford, M.P. and Mr M. Myers (counsel for the Railway Department) at the meeting of the Railway [Rolling-Stock Commission yesterday. Mr Myers pressed Mr Wilford to call liis informant. "No," replied that gentleman, "you have your remedy under the Act."

-Mr 'Myers: "And make you a martyr? Oh no, we do not propose to do anything like that. "We will not shed any limelight on you." Mr Wilford: "That is only rude. 1 could say something that would make you squirm, ibut I have purposely kept it back." Mr Myers: "That is kind of you; I thank von." Mr Wilford: "Cheap; very cheap 1" At an earlier stage Mr Myers asked "Would you be surprised to know that every witness so far has said that drawback springs have nothing whatever to do with the safety of the travelling public?" Mr "Wilford: "I know nothing about such subjects—about engineering." Mr 'Myeilsi: '"That's evident <fro:mi j your answers. You appear to he try- ■ ing to avoid answering the questions j or to answer them in a certain way." j Mr "Wilford: "I know as much about J such matters as you do about the fourth dimension of space." (Mr Myers: "You know very little about railway matters, don't you?" Mr Wilford: "1 can give you information, notwithstanding." i Mr Myers: "I can quite understand that you can't give me an understanding." Mr Wilford: "I can quite understand that though you cross-examine you won't examine crossly." Mr Myers: "After these compliments we will proceed.