" CORRUPTION."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 138, 12 June 1936, Page 7

" CORRUPTION."

STRONG INDICTMENT. Communist Member Attacks Government. TORY HAS TO APOLOGISE. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Keceivcd 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 11. Following Mr. Baldwin, the Labour Leader, Major C. R. Attlee, indicated that he would not now move the Labour amendment calling on the Government to take appropriate action. Major Attlee attacked "the corrupt influences emanating from gamblers in the city," and said it was high .time they had a clean-up. A .superstructure of mere gambling had been built up upon legitimate institutions, and the Opposition urged an inquiry into it. Mr. J. Maxton (1.L.P., Glasgow) said he had known Mr. Thomas for almost 30 years and had been associated with him for many years in the work of the Labour party. "At 110 time during that period did I or those associated with me approve of liis methods of general political conduct," he said. Nevertheless, they regretted that his political career should end in this way. Mr. W. Gallacher (Com., Fife) said Mr. Thomas had talked about his vices, if they were vices, but the Government encouraged him in them. They knew that the more he got into society the more he was their man. (Laughter.) "Artful Dodger" and "Fagin." Mr. Thomas did not suddenly develop corruption, he was brought into contact with captains of industry and politicians representing them and they patted him on the back. If Mr. Thomas was the "Artful Dodger" in the Labour movement, Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald was the "Fagin."

Proceeding to criticise Sir Donald Somervell's ruling that there would be 210 prosecution, Mr. Gallacher said this created the suspicion that there were reasons why there should be no prosecutions. Were they afraid that other things would come out? Men had been hanged on less circumstantial evidence than was available in this case. "I understand," said Mr. Gallacher, continuing,'"that you are not prosecuting because it would expose and end the rule of the National Government, which was founded on corruption and betrayal of the people." Colonel Mason (Con., Croydon) here shouted: "You dirty swine!" Labour members demanded withdrawal of the remark and Colonel Mason rose and said': "I apologise for using such an unparliamentary word." The Labour members were not satisfied and Colonel Mason rose again and formally withdrew the expression. Occurrence Impossible in Future. Sir Donald Somervell said he was satisfied there was no evidence to justify proceedings 011 a charge of perjury against any of the witnesses a,t the tribunal. As regards the Official Secrets Act he was satisfied that evil intent was a necessary ingredient of an oflence. Mr. ' Neville Chamberlain said that gambling could not be stopped by legislation. He had suggested that Lloyd's observe a sort of close season from the end of the financial year in March 31 until the Budget was announced in the House of Commons, in which 110 Budget risk would be accepted. Lloyd's had assented and thus, what had liaqpjoened would not happen again. Meantime, Lloyd's had appealed to underwriting agents not to accept insurance contingency on risks without assuring themselves that the insured had legitimate interests to be covered.