LESSON OF THE HOUSE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 112, 7 November 1935, Page 23

LESSON OF THE HOUSE

"I have no quarrel with any mar. or woman who differs from me politically," said Mr. R. A. Wright, Independent candidate for Wellington Suburbs, speaking at Northland last .-■ evening. "Everyone has a right to; their opinion on politics. In this country we always boast of our freedom, and I hope we will always be able to boast of. it, so that every man or woman will be able to think on any subject, provided they keep within the four corners'of the law."

"In the House," continued. 'Mr. Wright, "we are taught that: however we may differ on political issues, they are never to be made personal matters. When I first entered the House I found the whole position quite different from what I expected;. I thought the whole thing was humbug." Mr. Wright said that he had not been able to understand how members could use strong language about each other, arid then fraternise afterwards pu'; side the chamber, and appear to be the best of friends. "Consequently; I consulted one of the oldest members; Sir James Allen," he said, "and he assured me that it was not humbug. He told me I would learn that it was not insincerity or hypocrisy; that in New Zealand we were trying to carry out the best traditions of the Mother of Parliaments, in England, that was, no matter how'a member might differ from another on the floor of the House, no member was to carry, the matter outside the House.* Sir James told me that if we did not adopt that policy, it would be impossible to carry on the business of the House, because there would be nothing but free fights' in the lobbies after a debate had finished.

"I have learnt that 'members are trained in that particular school to; hold political views as strongly as they like, but not to carry them outside the House. I have learnt that lesson —not to be bitter or harsh, to any man or woman who holds a differing opinion."