DRINK IN PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19470, 28 October 1926, Page 9

DRINK IN PARLIAMENT.

MEMBER'S ACCUSATIONS. CHARACTERISED AS LIBEL WITHDRAWAL NOT MADE. HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received 7.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Oct. 26. There was a lively scene in the House of Commons at question time to-day. Mr. Neil Maclean, Labour member for Govan, Glasgow, protested against certain passages in Dean Inge's book, "England," in which the author said: — "The House of Commons is being visibly deteriorated by a new type of Labour member. Sometimes he is a drunken blackguard who turns the House into a beer garden." The Speaker said ho could not rule that this reference to the House was a breach of privilege because the matter had not been raised at the first opportunity after the publication of the book. Perhaps it would suffice if said that from his own long experience the present Parliament qfrmpared favourably with any of its predecessors. Dr. Salter's Charge Repeated. The charge of drunkenness recently made against some members of the House by Dr. A. Salter, Labour member for West Bermondsey, was then mentioned again and a discussion followed. Dr. Salter had been absent on the previous day when Colonel Sir A. Holbrook, Conservative member tor Basingstoke, Hampshire, had moved that in the opinion of the House his statement was a gross libel on the House and a gross breach of its privileges. To-day Dr. Salter was in his place and rose to reply. He said: — "Speaking with a full sense of my responsibility, and regardless of the consequences, I am not prepared to withdraw, modify, qualify or apologise for anything I have said. I said, and I repeat today, that I have seen members of all the parties, including my own, drunk in this House, not on one occasion, but on many. "This is within the common knowledge of practically eve r y member. Therefore it is a piece of affectsition and hypocrisy for members to deny it. Common Knowledge and a Jest. "Between 50 and 60 members of the House have told me they approve of what I said, though they do not approve of the wisdom and propriety of saying so," continued Dr. Salter. "Further, I have assisted members of this House to remove at least one hopelessly intoxicated member. It. is common knowledge and a smoking room jest." Dr. Salter agreed with the Speaker that the present Parliament compared favourably with its predecessors. He said he saw more drunkenness in the 1922-23 Parliament. His accusation was not against the members as a whole, but against a certain section. "If it is a breach of privilege to criticise members for disgracing, degrading and lowering the traditions and prestige of the House of Commons, then be it so," said Dr. Salter. "The fact remains that many times I have seen members after dinner flushed with wine and with all their higher powers of control abrogated. I have repeatedly been present when disorderly interruptions have been met with the truthful retort: 'You are drunk.' " Prepared to Name Transgressors. Continuing, Dr. Salter said these observations were made from both sides of the House. He desired, earnestly and sincerely, to maintain the high prestige of the House of Commons, because he believed the traditions of Parliament alone would save the nation from industrial and economic disaster. If he consented to name individuals as transgressors he would be guilty of a breach of courtesy, but should the House desire to pursue the matter further and would appoint a committee of privilege ho would "be prepared to supply the information, painful though the ordeal would be. Both inside and outside the House he would continue to protest against the drinking facilities afforded to members of the House at all times of the day and night, though the same privilege was not allowed to public bodies or to individuals. It was scandalous. Refusal to Withdraw Motion. When Dr. Salter sat down the Speaker ordered him to withdraw while the House proceeded to debate the matter. Mr. T. P. O'Connor, Nationalist member for Liverpool (Scotland), said Dr. Salter's speech was an instance of 'that ardour and that extremeness of opinion which often developed into the rancour of partisanship. Drunkenness was rare in the House of Commons to-day. He recalled a story of Pitt, who, when he was asked if he could see the Speaker, replied that he could see three Speakers. The drinking habits of the people generally had enormously improved, and this was no more apparent anywhere than in the House of Commons. Such discussions unfortunately were apt to create false impressions. " This is a Honse of good manners," said Mr. O'Connor. "We ought to live up to it." Mr. J. R. Clynes, Labour member for Manchester, said it would be best to regard Dr. Salter's speech as a well-inten-tioned, vigorous effort to promote temperance propaganda. He suggested .that Colonel Holbrook should withdraw his motion and let the Hopse proceed with more important business. Colonel Holbrook said he regretted Dr. Salter had not apologised. He would willingly have withdrawn his motion only for the studied manner in which Dr. Salter had endeavoured to continue his scandalous charge. „ Mr. Baldwin Rebukes Member. The Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, said that for the sake of its own dignity the sooner the House disposed of the matter the better. In an assembly such as the House of Commons, with 600 members, it was obvious that there must occasionally be cases of men forgetting themselves temporarily. They wore well aware of this, but did not talk about it. What hurt their feelings was the fact that ono of their number, who worked among them and shared their social life, should have considered it his duty to speak in that connection outside the House and then not to express regret for doing so. Dr. Salter's speech had made a division obvious. " I am certain the statement is a libel on the House and a breach of its privileges," Mr. Baldwin concluded.

Mr. H. B. Lee Smith, Labour member for Yorkshire (West Riding), moved an amendment to refer the matter to a committee of privilege. Mr. Lloyd George said he regretted the matter had been raised. Dr. Salter's accusation was not even approximately correct. It was an untruth and unfair to the most important assembly in the life of the nation. The amendment was defeated ami Colonel Holbrook's motion was carried. As no member moved the suspension of Dr. Salter, it is presumed that nothing further will be done in regard to Colonel Holbrook's motion.