DOIDGE SPEECH EPISODE

Evening Star, Issue 23753, 7 December 1940, Page 9

DOIDGE SPEECH EPISODE

BOTH PARTIES ARE HEARD PREMIER ON MEMBERS' DUTIES [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, December 0. There was a sequel in the House of Representatives during the final hours of the session to the controversy raised over the question by Mr Meachen calling attention to certain remarks by the member for Tauranga regarding New Zealand’s war effort. The leader of the Opposition had made a strong protest against the question being tabled at the last moment, giving Mr Doidge no opportunity of putting his side. However, it was agreed that each party to the controversy could make a statement in the House.

Mr Meaihen, in doing so to-day, said' he had been perturbed at various statements suggesting that New Zealand’s war effort was inadequate, and having decided' to call attention to specific remarks on this point by Mr Doidge, proposed to put an urgent question which could have been answered immediately. However, Mr Speaker had pointed out just before the House sat that this gave no opportunity for Mr Doidge to prepare any reply. As a result, lie decided to have the question tabled. He did not think any member should come forward at a time when so much was being done in the way of sacrifice for the War effort to make statements whch must he regarded as against the country’s best interests. Mr Doidge, in reply, said that during Mr. Meachen’s statement, there was an interjection: “ "What did the member for Tauranga say that caused this .storm? but, added Mr Doidge. that had not yet been disclosed, though there was a general suggestion that it was a grave danger to New Zealand’s war effort. The member for Marlborough knew in taking the course he did that there would be no opportunity to meet his accusations. If he was sincere in his desire for fair play, lie could have shown him the question beforehand, instead of springing a bombshell with the result that a special privilege had to be asked for to make his reply. His critic had taken a detached sentence from a speech on the war effort, in which the only criticism made of the Government was that it; lacked inspirational leadership, and that the result was deadly complacency on the part of the people. Even the Prime Minister last night, continued Mr Doidge, said that only a bomb on the breakfast table would stir up some people. Mr Fraser (loudly) : When was that said? Mr Doidge: He elaborated it to a considerable extent in the House last night. Mr Fraser: Quoting remarks made in the House last night is an infringement of a sacred trust.

Mr Speaker: A member must not refer to the previous debate. Mr Fraser: Not only that, but it was a secret session-

.Mr Speaker: A very serious breach indeed.

Mr Doidge went on to state that, following his advocacy of an exchange of skilled workers to replace the warweary men of Britain, he had received letters from a number of workers who would be glad to work their passages Home for that purpose. He strongly denied having shown a sense of irresponsibility; on the contrary, he had done everything possible to assist the war effort, and before the war had urged preparedness, for which he was called a jingo. The Prime Minister secured leave to make a Ministerial statement regarding the war effort without reference to the controversy regarding the member for Tauranga. It was, be declared, the dutv of members to bring forward any weaknesses and suggestions for improvement. They bad no limit in this respect at secret sessions. If members did not rise to their responsibilities they were failing in their duty to the country. He had a recollection of members coming to him and other Ministers suggesting causes of uneasiness about certain matters. On every occasion the Government welcomed these representations and endeavoured to put them into operation immediately. He suggested that it was not helpful, but actually detrimental, if any member failed to take advantage of this privilege, and then in public statements reflected upon the country’s war effort for party reasons. Tho facts were available to members at any time regarding the industrial position, whether men could be spared for any industry, and in regard to the maximum which the country could do to help in the general war effort without crippling homo defence. These prob lems were studied every day by those in responsible positions, and the Government asked for tho co-operation and friendship of members, though not desiring to burke criticism.

“ The effectiveness of our war effort,” concluded Mr Fraser, “ is recognised by everyone, including tho British ..Government, as being very creditable.”