WHAT IS A FAIR THING?

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 47, 19 October 1912, Page 5

WHAT IS A FAIR THING?

SIR J. G. WARD AND MR. MINE. HEATED PASSAGE AT ARMS. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, October 18. Cross-examined by Mr. Allen, Sir Josepii Ward said lie would undertake to get money for local bodies at dl per cent. He knew exactly what lie would do if be were Minister ol Einance, but probably Mr. Allen would not do it. if be bad the surplus that the Government looked like haying, he would take authority to transier a portion of it and lend it out at di per cent. He certainly would not go to the Loudon money market for tne loan. No steps were taken by tlie Advances Board, so far as lie knew to ascertain if it were legal to lend money ahead*| but Ehe tnought the Board had been justified in what it did. •} {,}.• Tli'Uu' i Sir Joseph Ward’s replies did not please The; Chairman (ME; Hiue), who asked him citiier to answer certain questions straight out or else refuse to answer at all.’ “It is my business how I answer,’ said Sir Joseph Ward'. “You shall not dictate to me. It’s a piece of impertinence.” ’ Mr. Hanan interjected that it was absurd. SurelyOMrS-Joseph‘had the right to answer as ho wished. “Tou have no right to suggest to nia hoTV.rl ■■ should dahsiyer,” ' declared Sir Josbph Wind. ;“It’s a : downright piece of impertinence.” Mr. Allen immediately moved that the words be taken, dotyn, jand urged tne Chairman’ to prevent such a thing happening again. Mr. Hino said that he had only drawn Sir Joseph Ward’s attention to the fact that he was wandering off in his replies, and asked him to answer directly or refuse to reply. Sir Joseph: ,“I did nothing of the kind.” Mr. Allen: “I moved that these words bo taken down, ‘Down-right piece of impertinence.’ ”/ Mr. Hanan: “Surely you will take with them the-previous statement Y” Mr. Allen: “Take any words you like.” The Chairman said that it would be

regrettable; if they had to go on record. He Imped Sir Joseph would recognise that ho spoke in the heat of the moment and would withdraw the words. “No,” Sir Joseph declared. “As a representative of the people I have rights, It is not I who should withdraw. The Chairman has no right to toll mo how to answer a question. The resolution can be carried and can be reported to tho House.” The resolution was then carried. “Very well,” said Sir Joseph, rising from his seat, “I withdraw from the Committee. You can,-do what you like.” in spite of protests, Sir Joseph made to leave the room. Standing with tho door half open, he said, “1 will not sit on a Committoo that does this sort of thing at tho instigation of a Minister and tho Chairman. I believe in a fair thing, and have acted that way right through.” With these words lie left tho room and shut the door with a bang. The Chairman said ho did not think it was becoming for any member of the Committee to go out of the room with such remarks as these.

Mr. Hanan: “And I don’t think you should have done what you did.” Mr. Myers urged that it would be wise to drop the subject, and the Minister added, “We won’t discuss it, let it go to the House.” It was then decided to report to the House that Sir Joseph Ward had used ■the words complained of, had refused to withdraw them, and had left the Committee. «