SCENE IN PARLIAMENT.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 13 October 1917, Page 3

SCENE IN PARLIAMENT.

PUGNACIOUS POLITICIANS. STBONG LANGUAGE IN THE HOUSE. ("New Zealand Times.") High feeling in the House of Beprcsentatives generated by the caucus of supporters of the National Government took a startling turn in the House of Representatives 011 Wednesday night. High words in the House culminated later by two members adjourning to the lobby and having a stand-up fight. Strong language by Mr J. T. M. Hornsby earlier in the evening gave rise to stronger replies from Ministers and members. Mr Hornsby upbraided members for being placed under the thumb of the Government by the caucus of the previous day. Mr Hornsby had not attended the caucus, and members resented his charges in language as strong as Parliamentary procedure would permit. The atmosphere grew more heated when Mr A. H. liindmarsh arose to champion the requests of the Second Division men. He held that where the Government compelled a man to go they should compensate such a man's dependents to the uttermost. Wealth and land had not been fully taxed. The Government was guilty of class legislation. Mr Hinduiarsii directed much of his remarks at the member for Patea, •' Mr G. Y. Pearce. At length Mr Pearce 'retaliated by' interjecting: "We are not as afraidto go to the front as you are." This roused Mr Hindmarsh. "I can tell by your face," ho shouted loudly across the House, "that you are an absolute cur."

A mild uproar followed. Mr Speaker called for a withdrawal, and Mr Poland (Ohinemuri) called out: "He is quite right." Mr Hindmarsh: "Yes, I withdraw." Mr Nosworthy: "A member said that he was quite right." Mr Speaker severely rebuked members for frequent interruptions. Mr Hindmarsh, who was plainly very angry and excited, proceeded to make allegations against Mr Pearce in regard to certain business in the House.

Mr Speaker called him to order. Mr Pearce: "You are saying what is incorrect, and you know it.'' Mr Hindinarsh (shouting): "It in perfectly true." Mr Speaker again called Mr Hindmarsh to order. There was quietness for a while, and Mr Pearce and Mr Poland were see), lo leave the House. VIOLENT SCENE IN THE LOBBY. On arrival in the lobby there was a violent scene. Mr Poland and Mi;, Pearce were at it hammer and tongi; with their fists. The Minister for Railways (the Hon. W. H. Herries) rushed in and separated the pair. The lobby was the scene of wildest excitement, and shortly only a few members remained in the House. One of the fighting members was bleeding about the face and his collar was knocked out of shape. Peace was restored shortly afterwards. Meantime wordy warfare raged in the House.

"A DISGRACE TO PARLIAMENT."

Later Mr P. C. Webb (Grey) declared that the Government was conscripting men but they would not conscript wealth. They were forcing men to go to the front to risk their lives for the country; when Mr W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui) threw in an interjection in an undertone. A heated interchange followed, the hon. members challenging each other to go outside and settle it; and finally Mr Webb exclaimed: "Mr Speaker, the hon. member's remarks to me are as insulting as his personality. He says I ought to be at the war.'' Mr H. J. H. Okey (Taranaki): "So you ought!" Mr Webb: "Yes; there is another one. But let me tell you that I have risked my life every day of my life and am prepared to do so whenever necessary. The men who voted me into this House are some of the best fighters of the country. They voted for me to come here to look after their interests and those of their dependents." He had told his constituents, he added, that he would resign when a majority of them asked him to do so; and it was for them to say where he should be, not for any other member to do so. On Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) afterwards rising to speak, Mr Okey again inter and Mr Veitch retorted, "I am a'ddressing the House, not a backblocks insignificant creature." _ Mr Massey, who had just entered the Chamber, rushed across to his seat exclaiming, '' Be ally, Mr Speaker, I must put a stop to this. The scenes here tonight have been a disgrace to the New Zealand Parliament. I ask hon. members to recollect that they represent the people of this country, and should uphold the honour and the character of Parliament, and see that they use no language calculated to cause a breach of the peace." (Hear, hear.) The Speaker: "I recognise it halt been a very heated debate; but I must ask hon. members not to interject. The trouble arises largely from members interjecting.'' (Hear, hear.) Mr Veitch said that he was not m the habit of using insulting or provocative language; but he did object tl> such constant interjections. The incident then closed.