JOCULAR REFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26197, 6 July 1946, Page 6

JOCULAR REFERENCE

“ COMRADE BOSWELLENSKI ” INTERLUDE IN THE HOUSE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 5. The use by Mr H. T. Morton (Oppn., Waitemata) of the words “ Comrade Boswellenski,” when referring to the | New Zealand Minister to Moscow, was the subject of a point of order during the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr Morton said that those who preferred the Russian way of life should pack up and go there. “ Why is there so much secrecy about the activities of Comrade Boswellenski? ” Mr Morton asked. “We are paying the bill, and a very extravagant bill at that, for the privilege of being represented by Comrade Boswellenski, and we should know what he is up to.” Mr H. E. Combs (Govt., Wellington Suburbs), rising to a point of order, asked Mr Speaker if the member were in order in referring to an overseas representative of New Zealand by a name that was not his own. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr W. E. Parry, said that it was not fair to the country and the House to refer in such terms to Mr Boswell, who was carrying out a mission of great delicacy.

Mr R. M. Algie (Oppn., Remuera) said that it was not likely that the text books would offer much help to Mr Speaker to elucidate such a difficult matter, but he could refer to Shakespeare, who said, “ What’s in a name? ” Mr Algie added that if he could assist he would say “a rose by any other name could hardly smell less sweet.”

Mr Speaker said that the matter had been raised in a jocular manner, and as Mr Boswell was not a member of the House, the term could be used. He said the matter should not be taken too seriously.