A Member Named.

Manawatu Herald, 31 October 1895, Page 3

A Member Named.

In the course of the discussion in the House on the Supplementary Estimates early on Wednesday morning Mr E. McEenzie (Buller) objected to the way in which the Government had distributed various items in the Publio Worke Fund, and as a protest proceeded to call tor a division on each item.

Mr Joyce, the Acting-Chairman of Committees, was putting various items to the House when Mr McKeczie remarked he could not get justice. Mr Joyce called upon him to withdraw that remark, but he made no reply. Mr Joyce again asked him to withdraw, and on his refusing to do so Mr Joyce said "Mr Roderick McKeneie I name you as being guilty of disordely conduct in refusing to withdraw the offensive expression you have applied to the Chair."

The Hon. Mr Seddon then rose and moved that the matter be reported to the Speaker. Mr Guinness, Acting Speaker, was therefore called in, and Mr Joyce reported to him that the member for Bailer had been more than twice warned for wilfully obstructing the business of the Committee, and explained that after the hon. member had been named, the matter was ordered to be reported to the Speaker. The Speaker, addressing Mr MoKenzie, said he would give him any opportunity of retraction or explanation before he called on the Premier to move for his suspension. Mr McKeozie rose and said he did not intend his remark as a reflection on the chair, but considered it his duty to call attention to certain items in tbe estimates Which the Chairman was rushing through. If he had cast reflection on the chair he would be most happy to withdraw it. Ht also expressed regret at having made use of the remark. At the close of Mr McKenzia's explanation, the Speaker directed him to withdraw from the Chamber, while the House discussed his conduct.

Mr McKenzie having retired, Mr Seddon said in the dying hours of the session he did not want the unpleasant duty of asking that the hon. member for Buller be suspended. He did not wish to pursue the matter further. He, therefore moved that the hon. member's explanation and apology be accepted. After a short discussion the Premier's motion was agreed to unanimously. Mr McKenzie having been readmitted to the Chamber, the Speaker informed him of the decision of the House. He said it was his duty to warn the hon. member that thia was not the first occasion on which hi? conduct had been brought under notice of the House, and if it was repeated he would be dealt with severely. The Speaker pointed out that the House had taken a lenient view of the case, and expressed a personal hope that such conduct would not be repeated in the House.

The discussion on the estimates then proceeded.