Barnard Replies To R.S.A. Critics

Northern Advocate, 13 February 1940, Page 6

Barnard Replies To R.S.A. Critics

[Per Press Association. Copyright.! WELLINGTON, This Day. A resolution carried by the Waipawa Returned Soldiers' Association expressing regret that the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Mr Barnard, M.P. for Napier) should be giv-* ing what is described as “apparent support" to an address by Dr. A. Reifer, plant research expert employed by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, is replied to by Mr Barnard in a telegram he is despatching to the secretary of the association. Mr Barnard was reported to have presided over a meeting at which Dr. Reifer criticised the British foreign policy, and his reply to the association is: “I regret your association was so eager to condemn an unheard fellow returned soldier, and I feel that something less than pure patriotism inspired your resolution. “May I refer you to my statement published in a Hawke's Bay newspaper on February 8, which, strangely, you appear to have overlooked. “If desired, I should be pleased to accept an invitation to address your members and explain what was said by the principal speaker at the meet- *: ing presided over by me, and also my own views. “In view of the publicity given to your resolution I am handing a copy of this reply to the Press.”