MR. LEE’S REPLY TO MR. SCHRAMM

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 191, 9 May 1940, Page 5

MR. LEE’S REPLY TO MR. SCHRAMM

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 8. The challenge of Mr. Schramm, M.P., to contest the Grey Lynn seat against him, was referred to by Mr. J. A. Lee when he launched the campaign of the Democratic Labourt Party at a meeting in Hie Town Hall tonight. Mr. Lee declared that he had been in the vanguard of every light for the furtherance of the policy on which he had been elected.

“I want to say a word —and only a brief word is necessary—to one, Schramm,” stated Mr. Lee. “Mr. Schramm is a man of doubtful judgment. Three years ago when he returned from a tour of Germany, be assured us that Germany was peaceful and everyone wanted peace. Now he wants to light. “I want to say to him that I was returned on a pledge to support a certain policy, and not a single critic knows one occasion when I have ever broken away from it or been absent from the centre of the fight. I have been in the vanguard of every fight, and if, with Mr. Barnard, I am in the front line for democratic principles, then all the Schramms, Frasers and Nashes can sound the retreat till the} have no breath left.” Mr. Lee added: “Had I been a young man I would have enlisted to again risk my neck against Fascism. Mr. Schramm was, I understand, a lieutenant at the close of the last war. He is of about my own age and apparently fairly healthy. I do not know whether he is eligible, but if he wants to fight, let liiin go to Mr. Fraser's next recruiting meeting and lead the way.”