CURT IN TONE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 235, 4 October 1935, Page 9

CURT IN TONE.

LETTERS FROM NAVY.

WAITEMATA M.P. COMPLAINS. BRUSH WITH MINISTER. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.), WELLINGTON, this day. A Minister and member found themselves completely at variance in the House of Representatives last night when Mr. A. Harris (Government, Waitemata) complained strongly of what he termed the curt and discourteous tone of letters received from the Minister which had originated from tho Navy Department. Mi.ny Navy men were in his constituency, and lie had occasion to write to the Minister on their account. Many of the replies were couched in such language as to force him to send them back for redrafting. Members of Parliament, he contended, were entitled to courtesy, and they got it from every State Department except the Navy, which seemed to take the tone of telling them to mind their own business. The letters were signed by the Minister of Defence, but he knew where they emanated, and such high-handed action by naval officers deserved the strongest condemnation. "I have heard nothing for a long time which surprises me more," replied Mr. Cobbe, who declared that no letter from his office was discourteous or curt, while all letters he received from the Naval Office were models of good English, well expressed and most gentlemanly. He never had to send one back as being curt and unreasonable.

Later in the debate Mr. Harris said one letter he received had been sent back to the Naval Secretary for redrafting, but the Naval Secretary stood pat, the contention being that all representations should come through the commanding officer and not through members of Parliament. The Minister afterwards saw the Naval Secretary, and the latter refused to redraft the letter. That letter was suppressed by the Minister, who sent one to him (Mr. Harris) couched in courteous terms under the Minister's signature. He had discussed the matter personally with the Minister subsequently, and was amused that the Minister had now no knowledge of the fact. He advised him to consult his private secretary.