A DIPSOMANIAC.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20367, 26 July 1934, Page 11

A DIPSOMANIAC.

Mr Lyons Explains Facts in Norfolk Island Case. CANBERRA, July 25. Mr Roland Green, a returned soldier, moved the adjournment of the House of Representatives to-day to discuss the deportation of Mr James Macarthur Onslow from Norfolk Island. Mr Green claimed that Mr Macarthur Onslow, who had a distinguished war record, had committed no offence pn the island beyond criticising the administrator, Captain Pinney, for his failure to attend a gathering of returned soldiers. Mr Macarthur Onslow’s house was broken into in order to ascertain whether he was manufacturing illicit liquor, but nothing to justify the suspicion was found. No charge whatever was made against him prior to his deportation. The Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, replying, said that Mr Macarthur Onslow landed at Norfolk on suffrance. Fie was known to be a dipsomaniac requiring treatment. Mr Lyons expressed sympathy with what he described as a very human weakness. Mr Macarthur Onslow had allied himself with certain disaffected elements, and a man suffering from his weakness could create very grave difficulties for the Administrator. During the whole time he was on the island he was under surveillance, his stay there depending on his conduct. Although no “moonshine” liquor had been found on his premises. Mr Macarthur Onslow admitted that he had been brewing, but it had all been stolen. In all the circumstances, said Mr Lyons, the public sympathy should go to the Administrator in whom the Government had the utmost confidence, consequently there was no reason for a public inqury. Mr Green’s motion was lost.