SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1915, Page 7

SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

MR. WILFORD SUSPENDED. IX) R PLAIN SPEAKING. By Telegraph.—'Press Association. 1 Wellington, Last Night. When the House met this afternoon, Mr. T. M. Wiiford asked the Minister of Defence if a further hospital ship were necessary, and, if so, would the cost be raised by taxation, so that all would participate in the contribution. The Minister for Defence said that he thought the time had arrived when another hospital ship should be sent to the front. He related all details concerning the Marama, which is to be sent. The taxpayers of the country would pay for the charter of the ship and her fittingup, as in the case of the Maheno. His Excellency the Governor had in hand the same work in regard to the Mamma as in the case of the Maheno. He woniid be very loth indeed to take away from the women of the country the opportunity to do the good service they had I done in the case of the Maheno. Mr. Wiiford: There you are with your dirty answers again. Ifr. Massey: I cannot allow that goThe Speaker: I must ask the hon. member to withdraw. Mr. Wiiford: I withdraw, and substitute the word "typical" for "dirty." The Speaker said that Mr. Wiiford must withdraw unreservedly. Mr. Wiiford: I decline to do so. The Speaker: Then I am very loth to ask the Prime Minister to take the proper steps. Mr. Massey said that his duty, though unpleasant, was quite clear, under the circumstances. The Chair must be obeyed, Tight or wrong. He therefore moved that Mr. Wiiford be suspended for' the remainder of the sitting. Messrs. Ell and Colvin urged the Prime Minister to modify the motion, and make it apply to the afternoon sitting only. Sir J. G. Ward, while upholding the ruling of the Speaker, advised a similar course. The Prime Minister asked leave to annul his motion, so that the hon. member be suspended only for the afternoon sitting, or until the member saw fit to withdraw unconditionally. The member for Hutt was called, in and asked if he would withdraw unreservedly. Mr. Wiiford thanked the House and the Prime Minister but he said he never gavß in when lie had made up 'his mind on a matter of this sort, and he respectfully declined to withdraw, The motion for suspension for the remainder of the afternoon sitting was carried bf4o to 17.