FREEDOM OF WORSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 87, 9 October 1937, Page 14

FREEDOM OF WORSHIP

REMARK RESENTED

REFERENCE TO RUSSIA

A chorus of protest from the Government benches was raised when Mr. J. A, McL. Roy (National, Clutha) stated in the House of Representatives j">sterday afternoon during his speech in the debate on the Budget that the right to regulate his own affairs and, for that matter, to worship as he pleased meant more to the individual tlian the so-called economic security frequently referred to by members of the Government. Mr. T. H. McCombs (Government, Lyttelton): Why do you drag the churches into it? Mr. Roy: I drag the churches into it because we hear so much about the example of Russia quoted by various members of the Government and how they would like to see the conditions there brought into New Zealand. One pf the first steps taken in Russia under the present regime was the elimination of the churches and the individual's right to worship as he pleased, said Mr. Roy. "They are trying to tell us that Russia is the finest place in the world," he added. The Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong): Tell us one person who ever said that. Mr. Roy: They know perfectly well that under Communism in Russia as we know it one of the first steps was the complete elimination of the individual's right to worship and order his own life as he chose. Mr. McCombs: Have you ever heard any member of this party say that? Mr. Roy did not reply.