MR SAKLATVALA M.P.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1925, Page 1

MR SAKLATVALA M.P.

LONDON. .1 une 12. A scene e-.iiieeruiiig Mr Siuipurji Kalehit vain. the l’arsee aim represents North Battersea as the only Communist member of Parliament, oectirred al a largely attended meeting of Army pensioned ranker offices in tlie Central Hall. Westminster, on Kaiurday. to decide what ai l ion should I." taken oil the refusal of the Government' to granl the ranker ofliees the retired pay of

eommissioned rank. Major K. North, presiding, annouuced that Mr Kakhilvala had asked if lie might address the nn-eii-; ■; and lie (tin chairman) had invited him to do so. There were cries of dissent as Mr Saklat vala ascended the platform. Lieut. -I. Needham declared: “He ia red flag man. not a Union Jack man.”

The Chairman : We must he nonparty. (Uproar). Sir Arthur Holbrook. M.P. the president of the organisation, left the platform. Several of the audience followed him, and file chairman announced that Mr Saklaivala would retire. (Loud cheers). UNDER WHICH FLAG-? Lieut. Needham: I have fought under the Union .lack for 27 years and that fellow (Mr Saklatvaltt) has never seen it. A member nil the platform asked the audience ii it wanted t<> hear Mr ,Kuklatvala or Sir Arthur Holbrook. A mighty shout- of “Sir Arthur!” rang <>iil from the audience. Mr Saklaivala then lolt the platform and Sir Arthur Holbrook returned to ii. the audience rising and singing “For he’s a jolly good follow" and the National A ill hem. The chairman said he had acted in ignorance in inviting Mr Saklaivala on the platform. “I did not know who lie was. or anything about his politics. I support the action of the meeting, and I ask vour forgiveness for my error. (Cheers).