“BALDERDASH!”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 794, 15 October 1929, Page 11

“BALDERDASH!”

ANGRY WORDS AT TRANSPORT BOARD MR. COYLE V. THE REST

Angry words were flung across the Transport Board’s room this afternoon, when Mr. M. J. Coyle took the opportunity to make a bitter attack on Mr. F. S. Morton. The trouble arose during a discussion on flat rate fares.

Later, Mr. G. Baildon came into conflict witli both Mr. Morton and Mr. E. H. Potter, when Mr. Baildon referred to “garbled statements” on the part of “two gentlemen of the board.” Mr. Coyle first roused antagonism by stating that Mr. Potter had advised local bodies to support the flat rate before a committee of the board had issued its report. Mr. Potter: Be careful. Mr. Coyle then turned his attentions to Mr. Morton, with whom he has had a long political feud. “He advised Onehunga to tear up the rails—” Mr. Morton; Was 1 wrong? Mr. Coyle; He came here determined to wreck the board. “Be careful,” said Mr. Morton, The Chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum; I must ask you to withdraw the statement, Mr. Coyle. Mr. Coyle (heatedly): I will not withdraw it. He was ultimately persuaded to retract the remark. Continuing, Mr. Coyle made an insinuation that every move that had been made to unseat the City' Council members of the board had had the support of two certain meh. Mr. L. E. Rhodes: Whom do you mean? Mr. Coyle: Not you. You’re a fairminded man. Mr. E. H. Potter (rising angrily): That statement is utterly untrue. It is false —it Is almost a lie. Mr. Allum again asked Mr. Coj'le to withdraw. Mr. Coyle: At your request, sir. Pie proceeded to say that Mr. Potter and Mr. Morton had done nothing than “scotch the wheels of progress.” “Balderdash!” shouted Mr. Morton. “GARBLED STATEMENTS” When Mr. Baildon rose he declared that garbled statements had been made to the general public by two members of the board. Mr. Morton immediately rose on a point of order. Mr. Allum (dryly): I heard no name mentioned. However, Mr. Morton was sure that the statement referred to him. “I am one of them,” he said. Mi*. Allum: But there were no names mentioned. Mr. Baildon: They are Messrs. Potter and Morton. Mr. Morton denied that he had been making statements. He had merely been quoting from figures and information supplied by the transport manager. Mr. Potter: I also risfe to a point of order. I have not been uttering garbled statements. The member began to speak at length and was told by the chairman that lie was making a speech. “Oh! sit down,” said Mr. E. J. Phelan. Mr. Allum: Please resume your seat. You are taking advantage of me. Mr. Baildon maintained that all sorts of garbled statements had been made and the public could not form a fair opinion. The incident then closed.