EXCITING INTERLUDE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1918, Page 5

EXCITING INTERLUDE.

PHASER'S 'INSULTING REMABI ' ~ ' ALMOST CREATES A SCENE. Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. When the House proceeded to read tlio third reading of the Expeditionary forces Bill, Messrs Eraser and Holland entered upon a defence of conscientious objectors to military service, and cendemned the proposal in the Bill to disfranchise people of this class. Mr. Wright, during the course of his reply to Mr. Holland, was defending the older men, particularly members of the House who had sent their sons to the war, when Mr. Holland made an interjection which was not audible to most of the House.

Mr. Ell at once rose and accused Mr. Holland of saying: "And sheltering themselves behind their sons!" He asked the Speaker to demand the withdrawal of the offensive word* ' Mr. Holland denied that 'ha used the words attributed to him by Mr. Ell, font several members sitting in the vidnjjy of Mr. Ell corroborated the letter's statement, particularly Mr. T. W. Rhodes, who excitedly told the Home he had volunteered for service, that one of his sons tad made the supreme- sacrifice, and he asked: "Are we to toewin-. suited 1" , ,^ The Speaker said that as Mr. Holland had denied having used the words complained of his denial, must be, accepted, Mr. Rhodes thereupon again rose and demanded to know if there was no "way in which they could get jitstiee. Members all around heard the words, and once more he wanted to know if wy were to be insulted in this way. , '•, The Speaker said the words complained of had not reached him, and or-i dered the debate to proceed. Mr. Wright thereupon continued -Ids', reply, and was greeted mth. a round of applause at the conclusion.

Sir James Allen, in reply, said that' Mr. Holland's speech was proof that the, was miseducating the public on this Bill, as he consistently miseducated them on the Military' Service Bill . He warmly defended the deprivation of military defaulters of their civil rights, and said that however much these men might have objecte'3 to fight, there was no jus* tification for their refusing to take service in an ambulance corps to bring back the sick and wounded. That, at least, was a service they might have rendered the country and humanity. i On the question that the Bill "be read a third time Messrs. Holland and Eraser called for a division. The third reading was carried by 54 to 2. The molt was received with applause. The report of the managers on the Sen formatory Institutions Bill was received and agreed to.

PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES. The House then went into committee of supply to consider the Public Works estimates. The final vote was passed, and. the .House rose at 1.10 tun.