PRISON BARS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 172, 23 July 1941, Page 6

PRISON BARS

FOR FARMERS' HEAD MEMBER'S CHARGE APOLOGY MADE LATER .(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON", this clay. A declaratiom by Mr. Hodgens (Government. Palmerston North) during the Budget debate in the House of Representatives yesterday that, if he had his way, the present head of the Farmers' Union would be behind prison bars, caused a stir among the Opposition members, who were quick to take it up. The Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Holland, described the statement as a savage attack on the leader of the farmers of the country. The incident arose over a suggestion made by Mr. Hodgens for enlisting the services of leaders of various sections of the community. He said he could not see that effective and successful unity could be achieved by endeavouring to compromise between two parties which were as wide apart as the two poles in their economic policy. "I rlo suggest." said Mr. Hodgens, "that it is possible for the Government when elected after the next general election to go out to the country and find out the leaders of all our economic life and bring I them in, second them and call upon | them in the name of the country's j well-being to assist in Cabinet." Cabinet Rank? Mr. Holland: Will you take them into Cabinet, do you think? Mr. Hodgens said he was but a back bencher. It was not for him to suggest whether they should be taken into the Cabinet or not. After Mr. Hodgens had said he would not, however, bring in newspaper editors, presidents of chambers of commerce, and manufacturers' associations, he was aked whether he would go to the head of the Farmers' Union.

Mr. Hodgens: If I had mv wav the present head of the Farmers' Onion would be behind prison bars, and I say that without the slightest hesitation. Again, that is my opinion. Mr. Holland: Unfortunate!v. That is pretty hot. Mr. Hodgens: That's my considered opinion. Speakers on the Opposition side have spoken about the miners sabotaging industry. Mr. Kidd (National, Waitaki): So they did. Mr. Hodgens: Could I sav this that Mr. Mulholland endeavoured to sabotage the war industry? Mr. Broadfoot Waitomo)Incorrect. Mr. Hodgens: Could I sav that the member for Tauranga sabotaged the war effort. Spurred Into War Effort Mr. Doldge (National. Tauranga)He s spurred you into such a war effort as you have never known At this point Mr. Speaker intervened, and ordered Mr. Hodgens to withdraw his remarks. "I shall withdraw as far as the replied 18 concerned >" - Mr - Hodgens j 3 - M iV; H ?, lland: And leave it on as far! as the other man is concerned I n C ? l ]\ lnuins - Mr - Hodgens contended j that there were certain men in high positions who made remarks detrimental to unified effort and who were allowed to go scot-free Mr. Holland: This is n « attack on the leader of the farmers jf the countrv. K ■.f «!;. Doic, S?' : And this leader is one Vr S?n' lo , ya l m , on in thc count.™

Trades Hall Bosses less l A'?k- T' in n d that if ,hc '-P was less talk, less idle, use ess criticism and a more considered conscicnt mis desire to get togetiier. then j would be possible for unity to be acl eve n New Zealand." said Mr. Hodgens dominated by TrLle% a S ll > bo A sses arC Wholehearted Apology having made it wA ~, IL #t<M for to Mr 8 Mulholland 10 alS ° )ol^ised now" 0| '» osi ' 10 " Member: A hit hue may be that I feel stronX . lr man and myself." dl oCi.tlC ( ;