THE WAR EFFORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24474, 6 December 1940, Page 11

THE WAR EFFORT

MR DOIDGE'S VIEWS ALLEGED UTTERANCES PROPRIETY QUESTIONED iFrom Oub Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Dec 5. The propriety of statements on the war effort of the Dominion reported to have been made by Mr F, W. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga) was questioned to-day in the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser. said he proposed to raise in the secret session tb-night the question whether the remarks of Mr Doidge were correctly reported. Mr E. P. Meachen (Govt., Marlborough) asked the Prime Minister whether he had seen a statement published recently belittling New Zealand's war effort and whether, in view of the far-reaching effect that such statements might have on the relatives of men in the forces, on New Zealand's war effort generally, and on the British public, he would, in conjunction with the Leader of the Opposition, take suitable steps to curb the " misleading, extravagant, incorrect, and often irresponsible statements" which had been appearing. " The press has recently reported alleged utterances by the member for Tauranga to the effect that New Zealand's war effort is negligible and that we have sent only a mere handful of men overseas," Mr Meachen said in a note to his question. Mr Holland's Protest A question whether Mr Meachen was entitled to make such a statement about one of his colleagues was immediately raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland. The Speaker, Mr W. E. Barnard, pointed out that notice of the question was to be set down on the Order Paper. Mr Holland: There is not a chance of discharging it. This is my only chance. The Speaker said that the only question which concerned .him was whether the question complied with the rules given <by him before he passed the question. Thanking the Speaker for his ruling, Mr Holland said: "This is the last day but one of the session. It is not playing cricket." " Who is not playing cricket?" asked Government members. Mr W. J. Poison (Opposition, Stratford) said a newspaper report had been quoted, and he raised the question whether it was not desirable that the member for Tauranga should be given an opportunity of being heard before the House rose. Reply in Secret Session

"If the member for Tauranga feels he is misrepresented, I would be pleased in the House to give him facility to meet the occasion in the secret session," the Prime Minister said.

Mr Poison: If it is raised here, it should be replied to here. Mr Doidge at this stage- appeared in the Chamber. "Has it been decided when and how I should have the opportunity of raising this question? " he asked. The Speaker: That is a matter for the Leader of the Opposition.