LABOUR ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22444, 13 June 1936, Page 13

LABOUR ATTACK

FORMER MINISTER PROSECUTION URGED ACRIMONIOUS SCENE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, June 11 In continuing the debate in the House of Commons on the Budget tribunal's findings, Mr. J. Maxton (Independent Labour, Bridgeton, Glasgow), said he had known Mr. Thomas for almost 30 years and had been associated with him for many years in the woYk of the Labour Party.

"At no time during that period did I or those associated with me approve of his methods of general political conduct," said Mr. Maxton. "Nevertheless, we regret that his political career should end in this way."

Mr. W. Gallacher (Communist, Fife") said Mr. Thomas hnd talked about his vices, if they were vices, but the Government had encouraged him in them. They knew that the more he got into society the more ho was their man. (Laughter.) Mr. Thomas was brought into contact with captains of industry and politicians representing them and they patted him on the back. If Mr. Thomas was llie "Artful Dodger" in the Labour movement. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald was the "Fngin." An Epithet Withdrawn

Proceeding to criticise Sir Donald Somervell's ruling that there would bo no prosecution, Mr. Gallaeher said this created the suspicion that there were reasons why there should bo no prosecutions. Were they afraid that other things would come out? Men had been hanged on less circumstantial evidence than was available in this case. "I understand," said Mr. Gallaeher, "that you are not prosecuting because it would expose and end the rule of the National Government, which was founded on corruption and the betrayal of the people." Colonel G. K. M. Mason (Conservative, Croydon): "You dirty swine!" Labour .members demanded the withdrawal of the remark and Colonel Mason rose and said: "I apologise for using such an unparliamentary word."

Tho Labour members were not satisfied and Colonel Mason rose again and formally withdrew tho expression.

Lloyd's Check on Gambling

Sir Donald Somervell said he was satisfied there was 110 evidence to justify proceedings on a charge of perjury against any of the witnesses at the tribunal. As regards the Official Secrets Act, ho was satisfied that evil intent was a necessary ingredient of an oflence. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Ncvillo Chamberlain, said gambling could not be stopped by legislation. Ho had suggested that Lloyd's should observe a sort of close season from the end of the financial year on March 31 until the Budget was announced in the House of Commons, in which no Budget risk would be accepted. Lloyd's had assented and thus what had happened would not happen again. In the moantipie, Lloyd's had appealed to underwriting agents not to accept insurance contingency on risks without assuring themselves that the insured had legitimate interests to bo covered. Labour Amendment Rejected The House then divided 011 the Labour amendment, "that the House calls upon the Government to take appropriate action." This was moved by Mr. Thomas Johnston (Stirling) after Major Attleo's statement that he personally would not move it. The amendment was rejected by 227 votes to 135, after which the motion to accept the report was agreed to without division.

Mr. Baldwin, answering Mr. Ernest Thurtle (Labour, Shororlitch), said he attached no credence to the allegation that the rise in Newfoundland stocks preceding the issue of the report of the commission which examined the island's finances indicated a leakage of official information.