POLITICAL CACKLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1941, Page 4

POLITICAL CACKLE

AIR SEMPLE ASSAILS OPPOSITION TALK. OF OLIVE BRANCH & DAGGER. SOME VITUPERATIVE EFFORTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Criticising the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland) in the House of Representatives yesterday, the Minister of Railways (Mr Semple) said that in the House Mr Holland held out an olive branch, but outside he was “a political assassin with a dagger in the other hand." There was Opposition laughter and Mr Semple exclaimed: “Any group of creatures with the lowest mentality in the world can cackle or sneer. It takes human beings to reason. 1 am not, going to be bluffed by the hon. mem-' bers’ cackles or sneers. For two years, I have not opened my mouth to utter one single word on party politics. I have tried to help New Zealand to build a defence system internally and to inspire men fighting externally. I have the right to be heard once in two years.” After quoting speeches made outside the House by Mr Holland, Mr Semple challenged the Leader of the Opposition to put on record industries which had been socialised since the war and he would keep silent for all time. When Opposition laughter was raised. Mr Semple referred to "a giggling, grinning kookaburra, and was called to order by Mr'Speaker. Mr Semple again said he had listened to the remarks of the Opposition in silence for two years. Mr Polson (Opposition, Stratford): “Look up Hansard. You have been talking in your sleep for the last two vears.” Mr Semple: "I have spoken only when I have had to make explanations! on behalf of my department." RULING QUESTIONED. When Mr Semple quoted a speech at Levin by Mr Bodkin (Opposition. Central Otago), in which he said that Mr Nash was laying a smoke screen to deceive the people while promoting his long plan to bring New Zealand under the German form of national socialism. Mr Speaker ruled that the quotation could not be made in the House. If. outside the House, a statement was made which reflected on a member and which he, as Speaker, would not allow to be made inside the House, he could not allow it to be repeated in Parliament, he said. As Speaker of the Parliament of New Zealand at war against Nazi Germany, it would be his duty to protect any Minister against such reference. It was possible for the matter of remarks made outside to be raised by substantive motion if necessary. The Attorney-General. Mr Mason. Mr Bodkin, and Mr Schramm (Government, Auckland East) submitted that the Speaker had misinterpreted the rule. Mr Speaker, however, held to his decision, by which Mr Semple agreed to abide. Prophecies of financial disaster made by the Opposition between 1935 and 1938 were quoted at length by the Minister, who also defended the training of the Army both in New Zealand and overseas.