WHITE FEATHER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20054, 28 September 1939, Page 11

WHITE FEATHER

ANONYMOUS SENDER BAD TASTE CASTIGATED MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SERVICE IN GREAT WAR (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day.

In tones of strong indignation, Mr. S. G. Holland, the National member for Christchurch North, told the House of Representatives last evening oi an exhibition of bad taste by some anonymous person. He had, he said, on his body scars of his service to the country in the last war and here was his card of enlistment [hr the present period, showing his desire again to do his duty.

Then, picking up a paper to which a white feather was attached, Mr. Holland said he had received this. "I hope the person who sent me my white feather is listening to-night and that he will be so ashamed that he will not be able to sleep.” Mr. C. L. Carr (Lab., Timaru): Why take notice of irresponsible persons?

Mr. Holland: I have listened to you (laughter). Mr. Holland added that lie never boasted of his war services, but at the same time this was going on throughout the community and he brought it up to urge the Government to make it a heavily-punishable offence and to take steps to protect our soldiers and public men prepared to do their duty. Tiddely-Winking Legislation” He proceeded strongly to denounce the Government for producing “tiddely winking legislation while Rome was burning,” adding: “If I had my way Labour members: Hell Hitler. (Laughter). Mr. Holland:' If I had the power to make the Government and the people of the country realise the danger New Zealand ' and the Empire are faced with Mr. E. P. Meachen (Lab., Marlborough): Is not the Government doing its part? ✓ Mr. Holland, referring to a .suggestion made by Dr. D. G. McMillan (Lab., Dunedin West) for free-of-intcrest loans, declared that capital was prepared to do its part. Mr. Carr: At what rate of interest? Mr. Holland: At whatever the Government thinks reasonable. Capital agrees that no war profits should be made. The next Labour speaker, Mr. J. A. Lee (Grey Lynn), suggested that Mr. l-lolland had worked himself into a fury against the Labour Government because someone had sent him a white feather. “I am not concerned about passing legislation to prevent it,” said Mr. Lee, “but if anyone wants to send me a bale of feathers I won’t mind, but if they hand me one, I will glare strongly as the hion. member glared at the Government.” <