MINISTER’S GIBES RESENTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22338, 24 May 1947, Page 5

MINISTER’S GIBES RESENTED

PROTEST BY CONSERVATIVE M.P.’S PREMIER ON COLLEAGUE’S SPEECHES (10 a.m.) LONDON, May 22. The Evening News reports that a group of Conservative back-benchers tabled, a mol ion in the House of Commons deploring the speeches of the Minister of Fuel, 'Mr. E. Shimvcll made on May 5 and May 9 as “showing neither sense of responsibility nor regard for the feelings of the country which should characterise a Cabinet Minister’s utterances.’’

“Don’t Matter a Tinker’s Cuss” In the first speech, Mr. Shinwell, speaking of the agitation by the Housewives’ League, is reported to have said: “Lord forgive them, for they know not what they do." In the second speech, he is reported to have said: “The organised workers are our friends. As for the rest, they don’t matter a tinker’s cuss.” The Prime Minister, Mr. C. R. Attlee, giving the official version of Mr. Shinwell’s “tinker’s cuss” speech, said the following were the words Mr. Shinwell used: “We know that you organised workers of the country are our friends —indeed, it could not be otherwise—but, as for the rest, they don’t matter a tinker’s cuss.” Mr. Attlee added: “The Minister has asked rne to say that if there is any impression that he intended to ignore the views of other sections of the community he expresses regret that any such impression should have been given.” Mr. Shinwell had used the words in dealing with certain financial interests.