LABOUR MEMBERS AND OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 July 1938, Page 2

LABOUR MEMBERS AND OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

SIR ALFRED RANSOM EXPLAINS (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. Referring in the House to-day to a statement by Sir Alfred Ransom regarding the taking of the oath by Labour members, Mr. J. W. Munro said he hoped Sir Alfred would explain the matter. From the newspaper reports it would appear as if it were the honorable member’s intention to brand Labour members as irreligious. Sir Alfred; No, it was the intention of my correspondent.

Mr. J. A. Lee : The member for Motueka (Mr. Holyoake) repeated the same story. Mr. Munro: I hope the honorable member for Pahiatua will take some opportunity of letting the House know that he did make a mistake. Later in the debate Sir Alfred Ransom referring to the recent statement in the House by the member for Palmerston (Air. J. Hodgens) said the latter had not read the letter which he (Sir Alfred) had received about Labour members who had taken the oath by declaration in the House. The letter, said Sir Alfred, asked him to supply the names of members who did not believe in the Bible as indicated by a clipping from a newspaper. • The Minister of Lands (Hon. F. Langstone): What did the clipping refer to?

Sir Alfred Ransom: To the report of a speech I made at Woodville on the previous evening.