MEMBER REPLIES TO CRITIC

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1930, Page 11

MEMBER REPLIES TO CRITIC

VOTING OF MR. J. S. FLETCHER REMINDER GIVEN OF PROMISES. MR. FLETCHER’S ADVERSE VOTE (By Wire —.Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The criticism indulged in last week by Mr. U. H. Clinkard (Rotorua) in the House at the* expense of Mr. J. G. Fletcher (Grey Lynn) was _ replied to by Mr. Fletcher during his Budget speech to-day. “I want to know if Mr. Clinkard s challenge was a personal one or a challenge from his party?” Mr. Fletcher declared, referring to the suggestion that Mr. Fletcher should resign and re-con-test his seat. Would they accept the decision of the electors of Grey Lynn if the United Party candidate was defeated and resign? Reform members (after a pause): No reply! Mr. Fletcher:. No reply because it was a personal matter. It would not be a matter merely of my resigning but a question of political assassination. They wanted me to go to the electors where they could shoot from behind closed doors and barred windows. I have had a sheaf of telegrams from committees and electors in my electorate and every one of them resents the charges flung against me by the member for Rotorua.

Taunting Mr. Clinkard with his statement that he stood loyal to his colleagues Mr. Fletcher asked what about the pledge he had made to his electors. “What about the pledge of the United Party to the country that it would solve the- unemployment problem ?” .he asked. • .

• “I anr not ashamed of the fact that I was born north of the Clyde,” Mr. Fletcher proceeded, replying to another point made by Mr. Clinkard. “I want to tell the member for Rotorua that on the banks of the Clyde we don’t teach political ethics of the school he belongs to. We say a pledge is not a thing to be broken like a piecrust.” Touching on Mr. Clinkard’s declaration that he was the best custodian of his conscience,.Mr. Fletcher said he was reminded of the nursery rhyme about the Christmas pie and the boy who said: “What a good boy am I.” “I ask this Little Jack Horner from Rotorua,” lie said amidst laughter, ‘'what about his election pledges? It was said the United Party would bring in foodstuffs Customs free, that it would not increase taxation and that it would provide employment for all. Has he helped to keep those pledges or has he helped to break them? There has been a stoppage jn work on the new bathhouse in the member’s electorate and anyone knows that to stop such a job in the middle is a waste of money. Has he ever raised his voice against such a wasteful procedure?”