MR SANTON’S REPLY TO MR SULLIVAN’S TO MR SANTON

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 65, 18 November 1949, Page 5

MR SANTON’S REPLY TO MR SULLIVAN’S TO MR SANTON

’ “With reference to Mr Sullivan’s published statement on Wednesday regarding building loans to returned servicemen,” said Mr Godfrey Santon yesterday, “I am quite aware

that the Rehabilitation Department 'does not build houses. Through the .State Advances Department they merely advance the- money and the

building is left to private enterprise

But, because of the fact that building costs in the Whakatane district are in excess of those in surrounding districts, the Rehabilitation Department had to hold up such loans in the interests of returned servicemen. “I believe that Mr Sullivan’s firm did do some alterations to the Taneatua Post Office. However, I have

never mentioned this work, nor Mr Sullivan’s firm at any of my meet- , ings. I made a general statement of facts and, if the cap should fit, it is Mr Sullivan’s worry if he chooses to wear it. ( About Joking

“I note that Mr Sullivan was only joking at RotoruaI—perhaps 1 —perhaps ( he is only joking when on 'every possible

occasion he criticises the Govern|Vment. m “Joking takes many forms. The ■ humorist who chalked “Vote Labour” on the National Party’s cabin by the mobile cafeteria was a joker. “But the people in the Borough of Whakatane who have had electric stoves and equipment installed in their, homes for months .and who are not permitted to use them do not think it a joke. Still that was not my point. “The National Party have been for some considerable time trying to force the Government to instal steam generating plants and my contention is that sawmillers have an admirable opportunity of . (1) setting an example to the Government and (2) alleviating the power situation in. that they are able to drive their entire mills from shavings 'and the sawdust off their saws. There are many sawmills in . this and other districts doing so. “Throughout my campaign, I believe I have confined my remarks to politics or matters bearing direct- ' ly on political questions.”