POLITICAL STANDARDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1938, Page 5

POLITICAL STANDARDS

MEMBERS & THEIR CRITICS DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MR ROBERTSON’S PROTEST. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) ■ WELLINGTON, This Day. Statements made by Mr W. A. Bodkin (Opposition, Central Otago) when referring to the recent attack by the Minister of Public Work, the Hon R. Semple, upon Mrs E. L. Stone for remarks she had allegedly made at the Pukeora Sanatorium, were criticised by Mr J. Robertson, member for Masterton, during his speech in the debate on the Budget in the House of Representatives yesterday. “The member for Central Otago was very indignant,” said Mr Robertson, “but he made two statements that are definitely incorrect. First he said the Labour Party’s policy. . . .” Mr Bodkin: “I never said anything of the sort. I said Communism.” Mr Robertson: “The hon member said a school of thought represented by this party.” Mr Bodkin: "No, I did not.” Mr Robertson: “All right. I accept the hon member’s word.” At all events, he said this was a statement made at apublic meeting. That is definitely incorrect. It was not a public meeting. It was a meeting of patients and nurses held in the ward of the Pukeroa Sanatorium. Those present had no option but to listen to what was said. The Minister of Education, the Hon P. Fraser: “Some of them did blow her to bits, as a matter of fact.” Mr Robertson: “The Minister may know more about that than I do. All I know is that it was not an anonymous statement, as the member for Central Otago suggested.” Mr Bodkin: “It was.” Mr Robertson said that the statement was contained ill the “Pukeora Review.” It was not an anonymous publication, as the names' of the editors were attached to it. Mr Bodkin: “There were no reporters at the meeting.” Mr Robertson: “Surely the fact that no reporters are present doesn’t make a thing anonymous?” Mr Bodkin: “Who wrote the article?” Mr Speaker (the Hori W. E. Barnard) said there were too many interjections. Mr Robertson was entitled to make his speech in his own way. BRINGING IN COMMUNISM. Mr Robertson said that the Pukeora incident , was not the only incident of the kind. There had been similar happenings in other parts of New Zealand. The method adopted was interesting. It consisted of calling a. meeting of young girls employed in shops and offices. The speakers always brought in Socialism and then Communism until the implication was carried, or intended to be carried, into the minds of those present that the principles of Communism and Socialism were synonymous with those of the Labour Party. Mr W. J. Polson (Opposition, Stratford): “Aren’t they?” Mr Robertson: “Aren’t they! The Labour Party is the only political party in New Zealand that has refused admission to Communists. Any Communist can enter the party to which the hon gentleman belongs.” Mr Polson: “The president of the Federation of Labour is a Communist.” Mr Fraser: “Will you say that outside?” Mr Polson: “Yes.” Mr Fraser: “I challenge the hon member to say it outside this House.” Mr Polson: “I will prove it.” Mr Robertson: “The hon member for Stratford is not fit to open his mouth on the subject at all; he knows too little. However, what I want to say is that at these meeting of young girls the question is usually put: ‘Hands up those of you who are going to support the National Party.’ They are given a free lunch in the meantime. I know one case where a few girls did not put up their hands. The comment then was, ‘Oh, we have a number of young Communists her today, have we?’ “That is the kind of poison that is being spread throughout the country,” added Mr Robertson. “It is time a protest was made against the tactics adopted by the gentlemen opposite. The only Government that interfered with the rights of democracy was the previous Government. It extended the life of Parliament and flouted the electors.”