REPLY TO ATTACK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1941, Page 5

REPLY TO ATTACK

MR. DOIDGE'S CRITICISM

RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH

(P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH,-July. 2,

A reply .to an attack made on him by "those who claim to represent the voice of the Labour Party" was made by Mr. F. W. Doidge, M.P., in New Plymouth tonight. .'.. '

Mr. Doi.dge said 'he told to one of his audiences a story related to him by at soldier, returned from Egypt who said that present-day New Zealanders were better in physique and morale than those: of the Great War but poorer as rifle shots. Then, said Mr. Doidge, he repeated previous, statements that the Government had shirked its responsibilities by not training the youth of the country in the use of arms.

"Now," said Mr. Doidge, "I am accused of making a statement which reflects on the gallant men who fought in Greece and Crete. This attack represents nothing more than an effort to deflect the criticism which we are justly entitled to direct against the Government of the day in regard to its efforts and the use of men overseas as a screen behind which the Gbvernment may shelter.

"Hundreds of members of the House of Commons may submit Mr. Churchill to a grilling inquisition on the conduct of the war, but Mr. Churchill accepts it as proof of the freedom of speech for which we fight, but he who dares to criticise the Government's war effort in New Zealand is threatened as I am with the direst penalties."