Fraser Accused Of 'Mean Speech'

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1949, Page 6

Fraser Accused Of 'Mean Speech'

WELLINGTON, Sat. (P.A.).—The Prime Minister’s action in making a broadcast speech for more than an hour on the eve of the election in 1946 was one of the meanest action" put across the people of this country, said Mr W. S. Goosman (O—Piako), in the House of Representatives. It was the action of a dictator, the action of a man with no sense of fairness, and indicated to the people that the Government would deprive them of the right to speak over the air if it had the opportunity, he said. "It was one of the meanest speeches the people of New Zealand ever listened to.”

The Minister of Education (Mr McCombs): He would not say that if the Prime Minister were here.

Mr Goosman: I would say it any time. The people will know, if this Government gets sufficient power, just how far it will deprive them of their rights. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Nordmeyer) said the Prime Minister spoke last, as he had every right to do. Mr Goosman: He had no right. Mr Nordmeyer said that the member for Piako was concerned only because the Leadei of the Opposition did not have the same right—a right he had asked for. „. . . v Mr K. J. Holyoake (O—Pahiatua): That is not correct. “The Prime Minister rightly decided he should have the last say,” added Mr Nordmeyer. If this had gained votes for the Government, it showed what a great influence the Prime Minister had over the people of the Dominion.