AN EXPLANATION

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 137, 6 December 1929, Page 3

AN EXPLANATION

MR. KERR'S MEANING

'•THE HAND OF CUNNING"

An explanation of what ho said at Koro Koro was made by Mr. Kerr when speaking at Waiwetu last night. "At Koro Koro," said Mr. Kerr. "I was charged with saying that there was a prc-arrangenient with the Labour Party. I did not intend to convey that the Labour Party had a pro-arrange-ment with the United Party.- It "was impossible for anyone to take- that from the remarks I made. The United Party was not in collusion with any party in the matter. I must, as a gentleman, accept the- statement of the Labour leaders. They say no party had any hand in the framing of that resolution, and as a gentleman I must accept that, but I would like to say that the hand of cunning was in that resolution ... It was so worded that the Eeform Party would not support it ... I say the thing was pre-arranged and if they don't like the word prearranged I will say it was arranged by the Labour Party."

"The Eeform Party are making a tremendous noise about what they aro going to do. We are told they would restore the 'cuts' and so on. But why did they not do- all they now say they would do while they were in power and had surpluses at their disposal?" demanded Mr. Kerr. "Consider New Zealand in the light of a limited company," he said. "When the late Mr. Masscy died he left to his successor/ in the management of this company, the Eight Hon. Mr. Coates, a profit of £1,240,000 on the year's working. But the following year, when 'the man who gets things done' and who was to make tho whole Dominion happy and prosperous, presented his first balance-sheet to tho shareholders it was found that . the profits had fallen to £1,155,000 —a loss of &53,000. Next year the profits had fallen to £587,000—0r a loss of £5G5,000; and in 1927-28 the profits were down to £179,000 —or a loss of £407,000. The shareholders were brought together and made a full inquiry into the matter, and the manager was sacked and his staff with him. In place of the profit that the late Mr. Massey had left him, Mr. Coates left to his successor a deficit of £577,000. For three years in succession Mr, Coates had had surpluses and had been iii a position to restore the 'cuts' to the Public Servants, but he had failed to do so. But he had left to Sir Joseph AVard a deficit on the year of £577,000; and he called upon Sir Joseph, out of that deficit, to make good tho 'cuts.' (Laughter and applause.) I say that I have never met such a lot of political humbug as is being uttered on this subject by the Eeform Party at this election. The attitude of Mr. Coates and his followers on this matter is nothing but political jobbery, trickery, and humbug," ho declared amid applause. Sir Joseph .Ward, he added, had taken tho right stand —that ho must first restore the finances and the prosperity of tho Dominion, and then make good the "cuts" to tho Public, Service. (Applause.)

The town council of tlic popular English seaside resort of Eastbourne recently decided that no SJunday bathing would be permitted at its new bathiiiit pool. As a result o£ the storm of protest from visitors and citizens alike, the council decided to permit bathing on that day except during the hours of Divine service. One councillor stated at the meeting that he ■was.no.fc opposed to Sunday bathing,". "provided, that it Tras not done for pleasure." : '