NOISY SCENE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 193, 17 August 1939, Page 5

NOISY SCENE.

LABOUR CHARGE.

MR. SAVAGE'S NAME.

"COUPLED WITH A LADY."

A L.LEGATION AND DENIAL,

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.;

WELLINGTON, this day.

One of the noisiest scenes of the session occurred in the House of Representatives last night when Mr. A. S. Richards (Government, Roskill) accused Air. Doidge (National, Tauranga) of having attempted "to link the name of the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, with some lady named or unnamed." His remark was greeted with an outburst of protest from the Opposition benches, Mr. Richards repeating his charge above the din.

Mr. Doidge and demanded the right there and then to deny the accusation, but was persuaded by Mr. Speaker to wait and make Tiis explanation at the conclusion of Mr. Richards' speech.

When the opportunity came Mr. Doidge vigorously claimed that he li«d been misrepresented and said he had not made the accusation, nor had he thought of niflking the imputation attributed to him bv Mr. Richards.

In making the accusation Mr. Richards said he wished to protest against the insulting, unfair and uncharitable reference made to the Prime Minister by Mr. Doidge.

Called to order by Mr. Speaker, Mr. Richards said an impolite reference had been made by Mr. Doidge to Mr. Savage, whose name he associated with some woman known or unknown. "Where Did He Say That?"

Mr. J. G. Coates (National, Kaipara): Where did he say that? Mr. Richards: In thie House, in this debate.

Shouts of "rot," "rubbish," and "gross misrepresentation" came from the Opposition benclies, and Mr. Doidge jumped to his feet to make a strong protest against the charge.

Order was called by Mr. Speaker, and when Mr. Richards was able to continue he declared that if Mr. Doidge indulged in tactics of that sort his political career would be extremely short. He had heard nothing more unfair or uncharitable said about a man whose honour, integrity and high principles had endeared him to hundreds of thousands of people all over the Dominion.

Mr. S. G. Holland (National, Christ church North) : He has denied it.

Mr. Richards: He would deny any thing.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton: Have you got a colleague who will back you up ?

Mr. Holland: They are all eilent around you.

Mr. Richards: I am .satisfied about what he said.

Mr. Hamilton: Not one of your friends will back you up.

"Figment of Distorted Imagination."

At the conclusion of Mr. Richards' speech, Mr. Doidge rose to a point of order, declaring that he had been misrepresented. He said he had not coupled the name of the Prime Minister with any such allegation as that made by Mr. Richards, nor had any such thought entered his mind."

"I have nothing but respect for the Prime Minister," added Mr. Doidge. '"I acknowledge his wide humanity and his high personal character, and that sentiment is shared by every member on this side of the House. I resent deeply tha attempt to fasten on me words that I never uttered. The statement is purely a figment of distorted imagination."