MR. FLETCHER'S REPLY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 32, 6 August 1930, Page 10

MR. FLETCHER'S REPLY

TO ME. CLINKAED

"POLITICAL ASSASSINATION"

The criticism indulged in last week by Mr. C. H. Clinkard (United, Rotorua) in the House of Representatives at the expense of Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Independent, Grey Lynn) was replied to by Mr. Fletcher in the course of his Buclget speech yesterday. "I want to know if Mr. Clinkard's challenge was a personal one or a challengo from his party," Mr. Fletcher declared, referring to the suggestion that Mr. Fletcher should resign and recontest his seat. "Would they accept the- decision of tho electors of Grey Lynn if the United Party candidate was defeated, and resign?" Reform members (after a pause): "No re-ply." Mr. Fletcher: "No reply, because, it was a' personal matter. It would not be a, matter merely of my resigning, but a question of political assassination for them. They wanted mo to go the electors, when they could shoot from behind closed doors and barred windows. I have had a sheaf -of telegrams from committees and electors in my electorate, and every one of them resents to tho full the charges flung against me by tho member for Rbtorua." Taunting Mi\ Clinkard with his statement that he stood loyal to his colleagues, Mr. Fletcher asked what about the pledge Mr. Cliukard had made to his electors. What about tho pledge o£ the United Parly to the country that it would solve the problem'; "I am not ashamed of: the fact that I was born north of the' Clyde," Mr. Fletcher proceeded, replying to another point made by Mr. Clinkard. (Chorus of approval from the Reform benches.) "I want to tell the member for Rotorua that on the banks of tho Clyde we don't teach political ethics of'the school he belongs to. We say that a pledge is not a thing to be broken like pie-crust!"' Touching on Mr. Clinkard's declaration that he was the best custodian of his conscience, Mr. Fletcher said he was. reminded of the nursery rhyme about the Christmas pie and the boy who said "What a good boy am I." "I ask this little Jack Homer from Rotorua," he said, amidst laughter, "what about his election pledges? It j was said the United Party would bring in ' foodstuffs Customs-free, that it would not increase taxation, and that it would provide employment for all. Has he helped to keep those pledges, or has-he helped to break them? There has been a stoppage in tho work ou the new bathhouse in tho hon. member's electorate, and anyone knows that to stop such a job in thb middlo is a waste of money. Has he over raised Ins voice j against such a wasteful procedure? '