A SUCCINCT LETTER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 374, 8 November 1932, Page 3

A SUCCINCT LETTER

• MEMBER'S COURTESY MR. D. McDOUGALL'S REPLY TO CANTERBURY LEAGUE. OUTCOME OF PRIVILEGE CASE. Christchurch, Saturday. Mr, D. McDougall, M.P., is not going to read the booklet issued by the Canterbury Progress League on motor taxation and highways, and Mr. F. W. Johnston, a member of the executive of the league, has received a letter from the chairman of the Committee of Privilege asking him for an explanation of an interjection h'e made when remarks made by Mr. McDougall were being discus'sed by the executive. in October. The reading of a letter from Mr. McDougall, member for Mataura, at last evening's meeting of the executive, led to reference to the letter Mr. Johnston received. Mr. McDougall's letter gave more than a clue to Mr. McDougall's opinion of the league, and the executive gave an indication of its opinion of the letter by declining to receive it: the letter was laid, on the table. When the executive nvet on October 5 reference was made to remarks Mr. McDougall had p>assed in the House ■concerning the organiser of the league (Mr. P. R. Climie), and the matter was reported in the next day's issue of The Sun. Since) the last meeting the league has issued copies of its report on motor taxation and main highways to members of Parliament and local bodies, and it was in returning his copy that Mr. McDougall sent the letter that was read last evening. The organiser read acknowledgrnents from many who had received - booklets, including one from the Masterton County Council, which expressed appreeiation of the report and asked for nine more copies to be sent. And from Mr. D. McDougall, member for Mataura, same the following letter. — "I hereby return your booklet, as I have no desire to peruse anything sent to me from a self-appointed body comp'osed of D cads, and whom I have no desire to meet either in this world or the n'ext. — Your faithfully, D. McDougall." "I think we will just receive that," said the chairman (Mr. C. Flaveli), referring to Mr. McDougalPs letter. "I think it is beneath our dignity to take any notice of it. We know we are not a self-appointed body, by any means." "I think we should set an example in courtesy and dignity," said Mr. F. W. Johnston. "We ought to re;eive ■all except Mr. McDougall's reply, and that should lie on the table. I think that is the proper stand to take." Mr. Jonhston went on to speak of various types of wits and their ability to take a joke. With reference to what was perh'aps the subject matter that had given rise to Mr. McDougall's letter, he had received a letter from the chairman of the Committee of Privilege, asking him for an explanation for an interjection he gave in what was described in one of the newspapers as a "little eross-chat." He had replied. He c(id not know the regulations of the Hous'e, and if h'e were to give the purport of his reply he might be committing a breaeh of the regulations. But he would eertainly take the opportunity, 'when the matter had been dealt with, of giving them the purport of his reply, and when they received it he thought they would agree that it was dignified. It was decided that all the other repli'es he received, and that Mr. McDougall's letter lie on the table.