LABOUR REPLY

Southland Times, Issue 21849, 28 October 1932, Page 7

LABOUR REPLY

MR HARGEST ASSAILED “AN INFANT IN THE HOUSE” “MOST INCONSISTENT” (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, October 27. Following upon his remarks in the House of Representatives yesterday regarding the lack of verbal protests against extravagant legislation by Labour members Mr J. Hargest (C., Invercargill) was subjected to an attack by Mr W. E. Parry (L., Auckland Central), in ;the House this afternoon In taking up the cudgels on behalf of the Labour Party, Mr Parry inferred that protests had been made while the House was in committee but did not state definitely that that was the case. “I know that the hon. gentleman is an infant in the House yet,” Mr Parry said, "and that he is in his political swaddling clothes. There are many things he has to learn.” Mr Parry went on to refer to Mr Hargest’s criticism of the Labour Party with particular reference to Mr Hargest’s research of Hansard and said that the discussion on the estimates, for instance, did not appear in Hansard. Mr Hargest, he said, was one of the most inconsistent of members of the House. When one considered his election pledges, he had wriggled very well indeed. Mr Parry referred to an election dodger headed “Stopping a Rumour” in which it was said that a rumour was current that Mr Hargest had supported reduced wages. Mr Hargest had dodged into the House. Mr R. Semple (L., Wellington East): He dodged into the lobbies. Mr Parry: Yes to reduce wages and pensions and the social services. He has stood for every reduction practically that has come before the HouseMr Parry added that he thought that Mr Hargest might think before speaking. Mr Hargest interjected remarking that the dodger in question did not refer to last election.