A VERBAL CUSH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 18 July 1929, Page 6

A VERBAL CUSH

IN HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES .POINTED REFERENCES (By Telegraph) ! (From ‘ The Mail’s" 'Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, 17th July. A verbal dash between Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston) and Colonel T. \\. McDonald (Wairarapa) did much to enliven proceedings in the House of Representatives last night. Mr Nash mado several pointed references to Colonel McDonald’s political history which brought spirited denials from the member for Wairarapa. Mr Nasli set out by complimenting Colonel McDonald on his speech earlier in tho debate, and suggested that the member should circulate it in his own electorate. (Reform laughter.) Colonel McDonald had staled that lie would tell him (Mr Nash) privately why the Palmerston North deviation had been stopped. Colonel McDonald: ‘T never said anything of the sort.” Mr Nash: “If the honourable member is going to vefute bis statements—statements that were taken down on this side of the House —I don’t know where we are going to got to. Tho reason why 1 am saying this is that I want to get it into ‘Hansard’.” Colonel McDonald: “I said I would tell you what happened in Palmerston North.”. Mr Nasli : ’’Well, so far its 1 am concerned 1 don't want any more whispering. 1 challenge the honourable member to stand up in his place and tell the House why the deviation was stopped.” Colonel McDonald: “That challenge is accepted.” Mr Nash: ‘‘l will be very pleased to Near what (the honourably (gentleman has up his sleeve—this thing that he desires to impart to me in a private way. I think we ; all know that the honourable gentleman has been something of a political twister. There is no doubt about, that. We remember that- he offered his services to the Reform Party in the Patea electorate.” Mr A .M. Samuel (Thames): ‘-’They wouldn’t him.” Mr Nasli: “Quite right. We remember that lie stood as an Independent Reformer for Wellington Suburbs.” Colonel McDonald: “Never. I deny that.” Mr Nash: “Well, if the honourable gentleman denies that, we will say that he stood as an Independent.” Colonel McDonald : “Hear,hear.” Mr Nash: “That suits my purpose.” Colonel McDonald: “Anything would suit your purpose.” (Laughter.) Mr Nash: “A little later he offered his services to the Labour Party. Does the honourable .member deny that?” Colonel McDonald: “Yes, lie does deny that.” Mr Nash “Anyway, now we have him sitting with the United Party, and a very good place for him, too. Any port in a storm, and I have no' doubt he will have a very good time.”

•Mr Nash'went- on to say that Colonel McDonald had accused the late Prime Minister of a lack of courage, but on this point he was called to order by Mr Speaker, who pointed out that