WOMEN SPEAKERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23113, 11 August 1938, Page 15

WOMEN SPEAKERS

ANOTHER INCIDENT MEMBER'S RECENT SPEECH DISCUSSION AT LATER DATE [by TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL reporter] WELLINGTON, Wednesday An unsuccessful attempt to reopen discussion on the activities of women speakers of the National Party was made by the Opposition during the financial debate in the House of Representatives to-night. When Mr. H. S. S. Kvle (Opposition —Riccarton) had almost finished his speech he moved as an amendment that a full inquiry should be held into the allegations made last week by Mr. F. \Y. Schramm (Government —Auckland East) with regard to women speakers and contended that they were directed against the wife of a member of Parliament. He said it was a serious thing when an attack was made against a member's wife in the House. Point of Order Raised Rising to a point of order Mr. J. A. Lee (Government —Grey Lynn) said no attack had been made on the wife of a member and that if an attack had been made the Speaker would have immediately disallowed it.

"If it can bo definitely proved that no other person than tho wife of a member of Parliament could' have been meant and if it can be shown that in the minds of many people this lady was meant," said Mr. W. J. Polson (Opposition —Stratford), "surely that member has the right to defend his wife in the House." Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition —Waitomo) contended that Mr. Schramm's remark could have applied only to Mrs. Poison. Dr. D. G. McMillan (Government — Dunedin West) said the original suggestion that the wife of a member of Parliament was referred to had come from Mr. Broadfoot, who was now evidently trying to cover up his mistake. Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Opposition—Central Otago) supported the view that only Mrs. Poison could have been meant. An interjection by Mr. C. L. Carr (Government —Timaru) during Mr. Schramm's speech had made it perfectly clear that reference was being made to a member's wife. Prime Minister's Undertaking "This seems to be a curious state of affairs," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage. "I did not hear the speech by the member for Auckland East, but if he said he did not refer to the wife of a member of this House —" Mr. Poison: He did not say that. If he would it would be {ill right. Surely you will give a man a chance to defend his wife's honour. "I question whether this is in order in this debate," Mr. Savage said, "but I will certainly agree to another opportunitj' being given to clear it up." Mr. Poison: Well, there is no need for the amendment. Mr. S. G. Smith (Opposition—New Plymouth) said that at present quite a number of ladies were giving addresses in Taranaki and as they were all under suspicion everyone wanted to know who was the lady Mr. Schramm had mentioned. Mr. Savage: As soon as Mr. Schramm returns an opportunity will be given to clear the whole thing up. Ruling by the Speaker Mr. Kyle then said that as a result of tho undertaking given by the Prime Minister he would withdraw tho amendment. The . Speaker reviewed tho incidents leading up to the moving of the amendment and said he felt bound to uphold Mr. Lee's point of order. He thought it would bo wrong for him in the absence of very clear evidence that reference had been made to the wife of a member of Parliament to allow the reputation of any member's wife to bo debated on the floor of the House. Mr. Schramm, in fact, had not said that tho statement to which he referred had been made by the wife of a member. Mr. Kyle then formally withdrew the amendment and the incident closed.