STOREY IN DEFENCE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2026, 12 August 1920, Page 7

STOREY IN DEFENCE.

ATTITUDE TOWARDS MANNIX.

ACCUSATION AGAINST HUGHES.

By Cabll.—Press Association. — Copyright. (Rec. Avig. 12, 10.25) SYDNEY, Au«. 12. The Premier (Mr J. Storey), replying to the censure motion, said he wanted no votes from Nationalists or Progressives who were not favourable to the victimised strikers of 1917 receiving another chance to earn an honest living. He was himself unable to at'"nd the farewell to Archbishop Mannix, but would not have hesitated to pay a tribute to any gentleman holding such a high oflice, irrespective of his opinions. Up to the time of his departure from Australia Archbishop Mannix had said nothing objectionable. Mr Storey expressed the opinion that the action of the British Government was instigated by Mr Hughes. Defending Mr Justice Ewing's report, Mr Storey said no one would sentence a prisoner to 15 years' imprisonment on the word of a scoundrel, adding that the previous Government had induced Scully (a material witness in the trial) to leave Australia, offering him a large sum of money and a free passage. The Government also kept hfm for a year and dictated what he should say. Mr W. E. Wearne, Progressive leader, announced that he would vote with the Opposition. He would oppose any effort to replace the 1917 strikers at the expense of the loyalists. The debate was adjourned.