"YOUR'RE DRUNK"

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17175, 27 October 1926, Page 13

"YOUR'RE DRUNK"

COMMONER* S ALLEGATION REFUSES TO WITHDRAW "IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE" (Lice. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assu.l (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.. I Received October 27. 5 p.m.) LONDON, October 26. Immediately Dr Salter's drunkenness charge was again mentioned, Dr. Salter rose to reply. He said : " Speaking with a full sense of my responsibility, and regardless of the consequences, I am not prepared to withdraw, modify, qualify, or apologise, for anything 1 said. I said, and . repeat to-day, that I have seen members of all parties, including mine, drunk, in this House, not on one occa- j sion, but on many.

ft i.s within comornn knowledge of practically every member. Therefore, if is a piece of affectation and hypocrisy for members to deny it. "Between 50 and 60 members of the House of Commons have told me they approve of what 1 said', though they did not approve of the wisdom and propriety of saying so. Further. 1 have' assisted members of the House to remove at least one. hopelessly drunk member. It is common knowledge, and a, smokingroom jest."

Dr. Salter agreed with the Speaker that the present, Parliament compared favorably with its predecessors. He saw more drunkenness in the 1922-23 .Parliament.

My accusal inn is not against members! m.s a whole, but against a certain se< tiou.'' he said. "[f ii is, a breach of privilege to criticise, members for disgracing, degrading', and lowering Hie traditions and- prestige of the House of Commons, then be it so. The fact remains that many times I have seen members after dinner Hushed with wine, and with all the higher powers of control abrogated. [ have repeatedly been present, when- disorderly interruptions have been! met. with the truthful retort, ' Von're drunk.' "