RESENTMENT FELT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 6, 7 July 1938, Page 9

RESENTMENT FELT

MEMBER'S SCRUPLES

LETTER TO A CONSTITUENT

TAKING THE OATH

Strong objection to what he felt was a reflection on his religious scruples was taken in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon by Mr. J. Hodgens (Government, Palmerston North), who subjected the Hon. Sir Alfred Kansom (National, Pahia- i tua) to severe criticism for alleging, in a letter to a constituent, that nineteen members of the Labour Party refused to take the oath of allegiance. Mr. Hodgens read the letter, and concluded a vigorous reference to the writer's action by remarking that he had expected that what Sir Alfred had not displayed in the interests of tolerance, he would display in the interests of chivalry. Mr. Hodgens said that the member for Pahiatua had declared in the letter that nineteen members had not taken the oath of allegiance, but had preferred to make a declaration. Sir Alfred: Read the letter sent to me first Mr. Hodgens: I do not know the person sufficiently well as to be able to get a copy of it from her. The letter which the member for Pahiatua sent to her stated: "Re the nineteen members •of the Government Party who declined to take the oath of allegiance to our King on the Bible- —- "That's not true—no man declined," interjected Mr. J. A. Lee (Government,. Grey Lynn). Mr. Hodgens continued quoting the letter as follows:— ■——It is <iuite correct, but I am not broadcasting their names. However, at my meeting at Woodville a man in the audience said tie did not believe me, and to convince him I read out the list of names. No doubt if you asked some friend to call at the office of the National Party in Falmerston North they would show you the list. I would suggest that when your member of Parliament is addressing a public meeting he be asked the question whether or not he took the path of allegiance on the Bible. Thanking you for your interest in the matter, y6urs sincerely, E.A. Kansom. A Government member: Scurrilous! .ALTERNATIVE MEANS. Mr. Hodgens said he had been long enough in the House to know" that a Court, of law provided two means whereby a person could declare to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. He did not know the history, of the decisions of the Parliaments of the Empire allowing two methods of taking the oath of allegiance, but provision had been made, and he understood from one of his good friends that it was the result of scores and. scores of years of agitation in order to provide for those who felt that..owing.to-their religious convictions they could not take the oath as set out in the manner of swearing. "There are eleven as it affects this side of the House," declared' Mr. Hodgens. -, Sir Alfred Ransom: In both Houses there are nineteen. <. -.--..■ Mr. Hodgens: The hon. member still •butts in.—l want him when I have finished.to express regret. Members of the, Labour Party are extremely tolerant of one .another. > Sitting with, we; are meniof all faiths and .opinions I'.poa: spiritual matters. I am a member til a Christian faith. .1 am a member of the Catholic faith, and an active Catholic,: and I do my best to live up to its precepts in the fullest. Yet members' of the other side of the House would dare to suggest that .1 am not a Christian because I do not take the oath of allegiance, on the lines suggested." • • CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES. Mr. Hodgens said he took the declara-' ; tion, the only distinction between this and the other form being in the absence of the words "So help me, God." In the Bible a certain chapter gave specific instructions on the question of taking the oath. He admitted that Christians differed, and there were members of his own faith who did not hesitate to take the oath in the first form. "I myself," added Mr. Hodgens, "hesitated from conscientious scruples, and I resent the suggestion by the member for Pahiatua that I have done any wrong." The oath and declaration of allegiance taken by members at the beginning of a new Parliament are as follows: — I , do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear allegiance to his Majesty King George *VI, so help me God. I, ...,.......,, do truly affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his Majesty King George VI.