A Minister Wants to Fight.

Manawatu Herald, 22 September 1896, Page 3

A Minister Wants to Fight.

» < Yesterday the air was sultry at the mating of the Banking Committee. Mr George Hutchison, in pursuance of his itutooflary tactipa, wanted to get some questions recorded Concerning tHe Ward Farmtra' Association, and the fact that the Chairman, Mr Graham, ruled the questions oat of order did not make him mote suave than nsda'. There was a heated discussion, in which varions member* took part. After the ruling of the Chairman, Mr Hutchison insisted on repeating the questions in other; forms) while the Premi r strongly protested against tile waste of time after the Chairman had givto his decisidm during the discussion on a point or order as to the admissibility of one of these questions, the Minister of Lands, speaking in the ordinary calm tone of debate, said ihat if it were admitted it would be necessary to call a Judge of the Supreme Court to give evidence. At this Mr Hutchison, sitting at the opposite end of the table, looked up from his papers and offensively retorted, " And you would insult him if he were here." The Chairman insisted that these words should be withdrawn. Mr Hutohison, with a set smile: "I will withdraw them." The Minister of Lands, naturally resenting the remark, interposed : " I will ask Mr Hutchison to repeat those words itt the lobby outside." Mr Hutchison: "I am not afraid to repeat them anywhere." The Chairman called two or three times (or order, and there was some confusion, in the midst of whioh the Minister, addressing Mr Hutchison, said, "You will get a smack on the side of the head" The Chairman again called loudly for order, and as Mr Hutchison then went on with bis questions, the proceedings beoame less stormy. Eventually the committee adjourned at 1.80 p.m., after Mr Hutoh'son bad caused farther delay in tryincr to get his nowwearisome question** into print. The members of the committee, witnesses, pressmen and lawyers left the room in groups, as usual, and the Minister of Lands and Mr Ward waked leisurely together in conversation along the lobby outside, almost the first of those to leave. They had gone about 30 or 40 yards, when Mr Hutchison walked oat of the room with his papers under bis arm, and at the doorway called out in a peremptory voice—" John McKenxie I" The Minister of Lands turned, and the member for Patea, pushing his way through the crowd, who immediately suspected trouble, exclaimed, when about seven or eight yardi away, "You challenged me to repeat in the lobby what I said in the committee—l repeat it now." To a rrifth taunted in this way, only one course is open. Mr McKenzie took this course. In an instant, facing his aggressor, he puled off his coat, whilst the Premier, Mr Ward, and Mr Graham, at the same moment closed in, and, surrounding Mr McKenzie, appealed to him to desist. For the second time in his career, Mr Seddon befriended the member for Patea. Had he not done so, matters would have been serious for the latter, for the Minister of Lands was thoroughly aroused. Mr Seddon stood in front of the member for Patea, whilst Mr MoKenzie dashed asida those who opposed him, and tried to reach his aggressor. Finally, the Premier prevented any serious disturbance, and Mr McKenzie was persuaded to leave the lobby. The whole scene lasted only a few moments. While the scene was regrettable, the opinion amongst those who witnessed it was that Mr Hutchison caused it by Stepping out of the room and challenging the Minister in the way he did, and that if the consequences had been serious, he alone wou'd have been responsib'e. — N.Z. Times.