DEFENCE BY MEMBER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21326, 29 October 1932, Page 11

DEFENCE BY MEMBER

MR. LYE'S POSITION REPLY TO MR. STALLWORTHY OBJECTION TO REFERENCES [by telegraph—special reporter] WELLINGTON, Fridny "We expect, a higher standard of conduct from one who claims to have a Divine call," said Mr. F. Lye (Government—Waikato), in replying in the House to-day to the recent, attack made on him l>y Mr. A. J. iStallworthy (Government — Eden). Mr. Lye intimated at the outset that he had notified Mr. Stalhvorthy, both by letter and personally, that he intended to comment on Mr. Stallworthy's statements, and he had sat in the House all day yesterday hoping that Mr. Stallworthy would be in his place. However, Mr. Stalhvorthy was not present when Mr. Lve spoke. A vigorous denial was given by Mr. Lye to Mr. Stallworthy's charge that for the sake of some miserable bookie he had nearly wrecked the United Government. Mr. Lve said what actually happened was that he was the chairman of the committee which heard the petition of six Post and Telegraph officers dismissed at Auckland for discussing the prospects of horses at the Takapuna races. The unanimous finding of tho committee was that tho punishment was unduly severe and that favourable consideration should be given to the petition for reinstatement. He made no apology for standing foursquare for the finding of tho committeo when tho division was taken. An Unwritiien Law Mr. Stalhvorthy, in a wild and excitable. manner, charged the Minister of Education, tho Hon. R. Masters, with verbal assault and declared that the Minister had insulted him in the lobbies, said Mr. Lye. "Never have 1 known a member of Parliament to 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." The Speaker: Are you suggesting that some members are not honourable ? Mr. Lye: I am not saying that. The Speakor: I think you inferred that very clearly. You must exorcise 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. Stalhvorthy to abuse the Minister's confidence in the way lie did. He had no right to say that a responsible Minister of the Crown under 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, that teaches restraint and self-respect and loyalty to one's comrades, but we cannot liopo to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Mr. Atmore's Opinion The Speaker: May I ask what you mean by that quotation ? "Mr. Lye: I mean I am disappointed in the hon. gentleman. , The Speaker: It is a rather extraordinary translation. The opinion was expressed by Mr. H. Atmo're (Independent—Nelson) that in attacking Mr. Stalhvorthy as he had, Mr. Lye had been badly briefed. Mr. Stallworthy had performed a public duty in drawing attention to the contract which had been entered into by Mr. Masters in connection with school text-books. There was no doubt that Mr. Masters had made a bad bargain. Althougli he might not agree with Mb. Stalhvorthy on many things, Mr. Atmore said he knew Mr. Stalhvorthy was a man of fine character, which had not been affected by Mr. Lye's attack.