FLEAS AS ATHLETES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9980, 10 July 1925, Page 3

FLEAS AS ATHLETES.

CHAMPIONED IN PARLIAMENT

“The common flea is the world’s most persistent and most wonderful worker. He jumps thirty times his own height, draw's eighty times his own weight and shows the greatest alacrity in rising from his place, which should endear him to members,” said Brigadier-General G. K. C’coker j 11, F.R.G.S., Conservative member for Reigate (Surrey). The general was discussing in the House of Commons the Lords’ amendments, including invertebrates, to which til© flea, belongs, from the protection of the Performing Animals Bill, which, General Coclserill is sponsoring. “The flea is absolutely independent o* the capitalist,” the speaker said. “He requires no machinery. That should endear him to the Socialists, who are not concerned to protect him. The flea has no friends in the House of Lords, where Lord Ullswatcr led the vendetta against him. “That gentleman formerly occupied the Speaker’s chair in, the House of Commons.” General Orokcrill added that lie hoped that nothing in the chair was responsible for Lord Ullswatcr s ferocity. “If he had been on the woolsack in the House of Lords I could have understood his vendetta.” (Laughter). General Cocke'ill was unwilling, however, to precipitate a conflict of the two Houses over the flea, and he accented the amendment.