SEMPLE AND BOLSHEVISM.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1919, Page 5

SEMPLE AND BOLSHEVISM.

DISCUSSED BY PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. t : By Telegraph.—Prega Association. Chriatchurch, Laat Night. Certain statements reported to have been made by Mr. R. Semple, M.P., in the Colosseum last Saturday night were discussed at the Presbyterian general assembly today. The Rev. W. Scorg, speaking on church union, said: "Men can stand up in public halls in Christchurch and are not ashamed to proclaim themselves Bolsheviks. In tliis country they are not ashamed of it, and our country, in its laws and legislation, is so weak that it is either afraid or aslmined to put those men out of the way. What did the newspapers tell you was the logical outcome of Bolshevism?" he continued. "That women are to be public property, and these men proclaim it here, and they arc allowed to draw £3OO a year and call themselves members of Parliament." The last remark was greeted with cries of "Shame!" The Rev. J, Dixon, to illustrate remarks on democracy in the church, said: "Does anybody say that Mr. Semple, M.P., represented the 70,000 registered trades unionists in this country? I say, no!" The question was answered by cries of "No." Mr. R. Logan protested against Semple's name being introduced, saying that polities had nothing to do with the assembly's decisions, and that it was a Christchurch affair and not a Dominion one.