SECTARIANISM & POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15272, 23 June 1923, Page 5

SECTARIANISM & POLITICS.

A MINISTER’S DECLARATION. (By Telegraph. —Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. During a somewhat dull discussion the House was stirred by the Minister of Labour to a reference by the member for Nelson to the effect of sectarianism on the recent election at/ Tauranga. Hon. G. J. Anderson indignantly denied that the Government was in any way associated with the Protestant Political Association or its activities. The defeat of Sir Joseph Ward at Awarua was, he said, due only in a small measure to the influence of sectarianism. The statement of the member for Nelson was incorrect. ‘I would use a stronger term, but that I know that you, Mr Speaker, would call me to order. J am a Southlander, and I know the facts, and I said so at the time.” He said that Rev- Howard. Elliott had, during Ihe Coalition Government, been organising in the of this party. That statement is quite contrary to fact. This party has never had anything to do witli Rev. Howard Elliott. (Cries of “Oh I” from the Opposition members). WhCn the hon. gentleman says that Mr Elliott and his association, I suppose he means the Protestant Political Association, published the names of members who were to be supported, I know that in my case I did not know about it until the advertisement appeared in the papers." Opposition members: Did you refute it? The Minister: No; what can a man do when a man outside his party puts his name u-p? I do not approve of clerical or sectarian influence in elections. I condemn it'. What led up to this position? The members know that a Federation was established recently, in my opinion, to the big detriment of the people who established it. Where you have a set of bigots setting*up a, sectarian association you will have another set of bigots setting up another. This party has nothing to do with cither of them.