POLITICAL PLEASANTRIES

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3439, 1 November 1932, Page 5

POLITICAL PLEASANTRIES

MR LYE AND MR. STALLWORTHY.

FORMER REPLIES TO ATTACK,

Wellington, October 28

“We expect a higher standard of conduct from one who claims to have a Divine call,” declared Mr. Lye whe’n replying in the House to-day to the recent attack made on him by Mr. Stallworthy. At the outset Mr. Lye intimated that he had notified Mr. Stallworthy both by letter and personally that he intended to comment on his (Mr. Stallworthy’s) statements, and he had sat in the House all day yesterday hoping that Mr. Stallworthy would he in his place. When he did speak, however, Mr. Stallworthy had still not appeared.

Mr. Lye began by giving a vigorous denial to Mr. Stallworthy’s charge that for the sake of some “miserable bookie,” he had nearly wrecked the United Government. He said he would describe what actually happened. He was chairman of the committee which heard the petition of six Post and Telegraph officers who were dismissed at Auckland for discussing the prospects of horses at the Takapuna races. The unanimous finding of the committee was that the pu'nishment was unduly severe and that favourable consideration should be given to the petition for reinstatement. He made no apology for standing four-square for the finding of the committee.

“When the division was taken Mr. Stallworthy, in a wild and excitable manner, charged the Minister of Education (Mr. Masters) with verbal assault and declared that the Minister had insulted him in the lobbies,” said Mr. Lye. “Never have I known a member of Parliament come into the House and complain of the conduct of a fellow-member outside. There is an unwritten law among members, at least among honourable members

Mr. Speaker: Are you suggesting that some members are not honourable?

Mr. Lye: I am 'not saying that

Mr. Speaker: I think you inferred that very clearly. You must exercise more care in the remarks you make. Mr. Lye: There is an unwritten law among members not to disclose confidential statements or conversations or use them to the disadvantage of other members. It was entirely wrong for Mr. Stallworthy to abuse the Minister’s confidence in the way be did. He had 'no right to say that a responsible Minister of the Crown in certain circumstances had admitted that he was interested in a picture theatre. I am only sorry he is not in his place, as I would like to say to him directly and pointedly that there is a code in politics that places character above mere intelligence, ‘ and teaches restraint and self-respect and loyalty to one’s comrades. But we cannot hope to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Mr. Speaker: May I ask what you mean by the quotation? Mr. Lye: I mean I am disappointed in the bon. gentleman. Mr. Speaker: It is a rather extraordinary translation.