‘Ratted’, ‘Welshed’ Out Of Order

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31081, 9 June 1966, Page 18

‘Ratted’, ‘Welshed’ Out Of Order

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 8. The words "ratted” and “welshed” were ruled out of order in Parliament tonight—but not before the Attorney-General (Mr Hanan) had voiced concern that the House would become a schoolgirls' classroom.

The final 15 minutes of the Address-in-Reply debate was given over to points of order raised by the Opposition during a speech by Mr D. S. Thomson (Govt., Stratford).

Mr Thomson—discussing the Vietnam issue—said the Labour Party had ratted on its allies. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) submitted that the term "ratting on an ally” was a

most offensive and unjustified expression and had been accompanied by the term welshing. Mr Hanan said the expression used was allegorical and in no sense did it compare anybody with a rat.

It meant that somebody had moved out of a danger zone, leaving somebody else to carry the burden.

Mr H. L. May (Opp., Porirua) said he had been asked to withdraw a charge that the Government had ratted on an agreement over a cotton mill.

“I think it was a very good decision I gave in that case,” said the Speaker (Sir Ronald Algie).

If the Speaker had to be the judge of good taste he would have excluded the expression long ago, he said. When a word was used in such a connotation as to be provocative, he believed it to be offensive. Mr Thomson withdrew the word. A few minutes later he said the Labour Party had advised New Zealanders to welsh on their obligation. “Now the word welsh has been used,” interjected Mr Kirk. Mr Hanan said “welshing” meant nothing except falling to carry out obligations.

“To quote the dictionary meaning could or could not be helpful,”

said the Speaker. He recalled that a member once had been referred to as an “Aeolian harp struck by lightning.” Three previous Speakers had ruled that the word “ratted,” when used to hurt or offend someone, had to be withdrawn. “I don’t think it possible for this House ever to become like a schoolgirls’ classroom,” said the Speaker. Speeches were expected to be vigorous.

The word “ratted,” carrying the connotation it did, was improper. The word “welsh” used afterwards was a “sort of circumvention” of the earlier ruling. Mr Thomson withdrew the word.