NOT A "YES" MAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 55, 6 March 1943, Page 4

NOT A "YES" MAN

CANDID LABOUR M.P.

AGAINST LOCKED DOORS (By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter). - WELLINGTON, this day. Secret sessions were referred to in critical vein by the Government member for Palmerston North, Mr. Hodgens, in his Address-in-Reply speech in the House of Representatives yesterday. He expressed regret that the general election had not been held at the ordinary time, and that there had to be so much government by regulation and sittings of the House behind closed and locked doors. He admitted that it was vitally necessary that certain subjects should be discussed in secret, but the constant sessions of that kind created a tendency to keep from the people information which could easily be made available, by which he meant, he said, the very short statements issued by the Prime Minister after those sittings.

Mr. Broadfoot (National, Waitomo): You are getting tough.

Mr. Hodgens retorted that he was not a "yes" man, but would express his sincere conviction. Members expected the people to trust them, and they should trust the people. They were calling on fit men telling them it was their duty to make sacrifices in the cause of freedom, when so much was at stake.

Mr. Doidge (National, Tauranga): Tell us why they unlocked the door at Scrimgeour's office. Was it because the watersiders threatened to go on strike? Mr. Hodgens: My friend is drawing a red herring across the track.