THE SCENE IN PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1917, Page 7

THE SCENE IN PARLIAMENT.

PUGNACIOUS POLITICIANS. STRONG LANGUAGE IN THE HOUSE. STAND-UP FIGHT IN THE LOBBY, The Wellington Times gives the following details of the House of Representatives at midnight oil Wednesday. Strong language by Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby earlier in the evening gave rise to (stronger replies from Ministers and members. Mr. Hornsby upbraided members for being placed under the thumb of the Government by the caucus of the previous day. Mr. Hornsby had not attended the caucus, and . members resented his charges in language as strong as Parliamentary procedure would permit. The atmosphere grew more heated when Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh arose to champion the requests of the Second Division men. He held that where the Government compelled a nian to go they should compensate such a man's dependents to the uttermost. Wealth and land had nob been fully taxed. The Gpvermnent was guilty of class legislation. Mr. Hindmarsh directed much of his remarks at the meih'ber for Patea, Mr. G. V. Pearce.

At length Mr. Pearce retaliated by interjecting: "We are not afraid to go to the front as you are."

This roused Mr. Hindmarsh. "I can tell by your face," he shouted loudly across the House, "that you are an absolute our."

A mild uproar followed, Mr. Speaker called for a withdrawal, and Mr 'Poland (Ohinemuri) called out: "He is. quite right." Mr. Hindmarsh: "Yes, I withdraw.*" Mr. Nosworthy: "A member said that he was quite right." Mr. Speaker severely rebuked members for frequent interruptions. Mr. Hindmursh, who was plainly very angry and excited, proceeded to make allegations against Mr. Pearce in regard to certain business in the House Mr. Speaker called him to order. Mr. Pearce (angrily): "You are saying what is incorrect/ and you know it." Mr. Hindmarsh (shouting): "It is .perfectly true." Mr. Speaker again called Mr. Hindmarsh to order. There was quietness for a while, and Mr. Pearce and Mr. Poland were seen to leave the House. Violent scene in the lobby. On arrival in the lobby there was a violent scene. Mr. Poland and Mr. Pearco were at it hammer and tongs with their fists. The Minister for Railways (the Hon. W. H. Hemes) rushed in and separated the pair. The lobby was the scene of wildest excitement, and shortly only a few members remained in the House. One of ths fighting members was bleeding about the face and his collar was knocked out of shape. Peace wa6 restored shortly afterwards.

Meantime wordy warfare raged in the House.

PRIME MINISTER PROTESTS. • "A DISGRACE TO PARLIAMENT." Later Mr. P. C. Webb (Grey) declared that the Government was conscripting men but they would not conscript wealth. They were forcing men to go to the front to risk their lives for the •country; when Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taumarnnui) threw in an interjection in an undertone. A heated interchange followed, the hon. members challenging each other to go outside and settle it° and finally Mr. Webb exclaimed— air. Speaker, the hon. member's remarks to me are as insulting as his personality. •He says I ought to be at the war." * Mr. H. J. H. Okey (Taranakip "So you ought!"

Mr. Webb: "Yes, there is another one. But let me tell you that I have •risked my life every day of my life and •afa preps-Atd to do so whenever necessary. The men who voted me into this House are aomc of the best fighters of the country. They voted for me to 'come here to look after their interests ■and those of their dependents," He had told his constituents, lie added, /that he would resign when a majority -of them asked him to do so; and it .was for them to say where he should be ' n °t for any other member to do so. On Mr. W. A. Veitch (Witnganui) afterwards rising to speak. Mr. Okey again interjected, and Mr. Veitch retorted, "I ■am addressing the House, not a back'bloeks insignificant creature." Mr. Massey, who had just entered the Chamber, rushed across to his seat exclaiming, "Really, Mr. Speaker, I must put a stop to this. The scenes here to-night have been a disgrace to the jNew Zealand Parliament. I ask hon members to recollect that they represent the people of this country, and should uphold the honor and the character of Parliament, and see that thev use no language calculated to cause 'a ■breach of the peace." (Hear, hear.) The Speaker: "I recognise it has been a very heated debate: but I must •ask non. members not to interject. The ■trouble arises largely from members interjecting." (Hear, hear.) The incident then closed.