REFLECTION ON SOBRIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19469, 27 October 1926, Page 13

REFLECTION ON SOBRIETY.

MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, LABOUR MAN'S STATEMENT. INDIGNATION IN BRITAIN. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 11.5 p.m.) A. aid N.Z. LONDON, Oct, .25. Colonel Sir A. Holbrook, Conservative member for Basingstoke, Hampshire, speaking in the House of Commons today, characterised as an unjustified and disgraceful attack a statement which was recently made by Dr. A. Salter, Labour member for West Bermondsey. This was to the effect that Dr. Salter had seen members drunk in the House. Colonel Holbrook said he thought that statement brought Dr. Salter within the rules regarding breaches of privilege. He moved that in the opinion of the House Dr. Salter's speech was a gross libel on the House and a gross breach of its privileges. The Labour member for Manchester, Mr. J. R. Clynes, asked Labour members to oppose Colonel Holbrook's motion. He said ho did this in the absence of Dr. Salter, and because of Colonel Holbrook's provocative speech. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Winston Churchill, said if such a serious matter, reflecting as it did upon the character and dignity of the House, went unrepudiated it might greatly injure the reputation of a democratic institution. However, as Dr. Salter was absent, he moved the adjournment of the question. This was agreed to. Mr. Neil Maclean, Labour member for Govan, Glasgow, intimated that he would refer next day to a statement reported to have been made by Dean Inge describing the members of the House as a "set of drunken blackguards."