More About Flags.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1922, Page 4

More About Flags.

LIVELY ALTERCATION IN HOUSE. AY ELLINGTON, Sept. I. t “I have been found fault with for what I said at Foxton, but 1 am not going back upon it,” was the Prime Minister’s preliminary to further references to loyalty- to-night. Before he had concluded hc< had to take part in lively exchanges all round the House, and it was difficult in the confusion to hear all the remarks passed by the heated disputants. Air Atassey read his Foxton utterance. on the subject of loyalty and when he came to tho passage inviting the electors to choose between the Union Jac k and the Red Flag Air Holland interjected “Surely you don’t think the Union Jack is the emblem of tho Reform Party? It was never dragged in the mire so much as when you made use of it.”

Air Atassey quoted copiously from Labour speeches to demonstrate their point of view not only in regard to policy but also in their reflections on 'the policy of the Liberals. Air Forbes protected hotly against this attack during the absence of the Liberal Leader.

Air Alassey: I am not going L muzzle myself because the Libeial leader is absent. Aly record stands against that of the gentleman who says we prate machine-made loyalty. Air Forbes: So you do. Air Alassey demanded of Labour members whether it was a fact that the Red Flag was a flag of socialism. Was it possible, he asked, to associate the Red Flag with the Union Jack ? Air Holland: Afost undoubtedly you belong to an organisation which has a yellow flag and it goes side by side with The Union Jack. Mr Alassey : It is a loyal flag. Tho two flags stand together. Mr Holland: So much electioneering gas! Mr Alassey went on to declare that tho children of New Zealand ought to lie taught more of what the flag and the Empire meant. Mr Holland: Your trouble is that everybody is disloyal who opposes tho Government.

Air Massey: l am reminded of the old French proverb, “He who excuses accuses himself.” Air Holland: And he who prates of his loyalty proclaims his disloyalty. (Ministerial interruption). Mr Alassey declared that he was perfectly right at Foxton, and lie would proclaim the same thing in tho House.

Afr Forbes: You are using it for party purposes. Afr Alassey closed his much interrupted reference to his subject by declaring that someone had said Liberalism will never die, hut. he concluded, that form of Liberalism which is founded on cant, humbug and hypocrisy will never live. (Opposition laughter).