COMMONS SPEECH

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1936, Page 5

COMMONS SPEECH

GERMAN PROTEST

'•HANDS RED WITH MURDER.*’

\Umtod Press Association—By Electric Telegraph-Copyright).

LONDON, November 4.,

It is revealed that the German Ambassador (Herr Joachim von -Ribbentrop), during a talk with the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) on October 30, drew attention to a speech in the House of Commons on October 29 by Mr W. Galacher (Communist), in which W. Gallacher referred in passing to Herr von Ribbentrop’s speech in his arrival on October 26, and said ; ‘ ‘What is the position for England l when you have someone coming here whose hands are red with murder, making suck a statement?”

The'passage occupied only a few lines in a long speech on other matters, hut it found its way into Hansard. Mr Eden is understood to have said'that he regretted Mr Gallacher’s attack, hut he was powerless to prevent it. Diplomatic circles are unable to recall a precedent for an ambassador drawing attention to a speech made in the House of Commons. GALLACHER’S REPLY. J LONDON; November 5. Mr Gallacher caused laughter in the - Commons When ,in reference td Mr, Eden’s talk with Herr von Ribbentrnp, he asiked: ‘‘Wbat" right had '- Mr Eden to apologise for anything I have said ?.” - , ’ . The Speaker said offensive attacks: against a representative of a friendly: power were most improper. If he had heard these remarks he would have in-) sisted on their withdraw] • 'A " JVfr Thurtle suggested the only mistake Gallacher had . made was to; attribute the crime of murder to the ambassador instead of the; Government he represented. ... .A The matter was dropped.