DEFENDING THEIR HONOUR

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 8

DEFENDING THEIR HONOUR

CANON JAMES AND M.P.’S,

MEMBERS RESENT STATEMENTS Recent, statements made by Canon James in Auckland were replied to by speakers during the second reading debate on the Bible in Schools Bill in the House of Rcpresentatvies last night. Jlr. 11. Atmore (Nelson) said that Canon James had said that as fat as character was concerned he would not put members of the House in the same class as- the clergy. His (Mr. Atmore’s) retort was that in no case had members of Parliament been in gaol of recent years, but the same could not be said of some of the secular traducers of Parliament. That was a strong statement to make, but it was time they did make it. Members: We’re not going to take it lying down. Mr- J- A. Lee (Auckland Last) attacked Canon Janies, who, he said, possessed all the characteristics of a “squib.” “I resent,” said Mr. Lee, “an alleged minister of the Gospel suggesting that because I differ from him I 'am necessarily a humbug or am controlled by some outside organisation. What Canon James says about members of Parliament doesn’t count. We can defend ourselves.”