ALLEGED WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1919, 31 October 1906, Page 3

ALLEGED WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE.

SOME STRAIGHT-OUT ALLEGA-*

TIONS.

WARM WORDS IN PARLIAMENT

Special to the Times.

Wellington, last night,

There was a sharp passagt-at-arms between the Opposition and soma nat-m bars of the G.vernmsnt patty on the one hand and Me Hall Jonrs and the Premier on the other hand during the closing boars of the seasi"n, regarding alleged favoritism in the distribution of the Public Works vote.

Mr Massey condemned the present system, wbioh he said led to political bribery, Amongst those who complained of the manner in which moneys bad been allocated were Messrs Mander and Bollard (Oppositionists), and Messrs Gninnaes and Jennings (Government supporters). Mr Massey complained ibai the Minister ignored members and local bodies, and listened to the demands of private individuals.

Ofl Me Hall«Jonea challenging him.to mention a case, be cited tbe case of an application made for a telephone by a local body in tbe Auckland district. The Government informed them thut tbey oould have the telephone if they guaranteed £si or its equivalent interest. Tbe local body deoided that this was too much, Tbe Government then offered to redone it by half, bat the local body etiil hung back. Then the President of the Liberal and Labor Federation applied, and tbe telephone was expended to tbe district, Hot only was it extended to the district, but the president’s store was made the looal bateau, and tbe connection was also extended to his son’s bouse. All Ibis was done without costing tbe district one penny. Mr Hardy, tbe member for SelwyD, bad something to say ou the subjiot, and be said it very forcibly. He was greeted with marked applause on rising. " Yes, it is time even for the eilent to speak,' 1 ho said, " and to protest against the system of giviDg tips to members and bribery to constituencies. Tbe sooner there is an improvement in tbe system the sooner the country will be pleased.” Mr Hardy went on to advocate a system by which looal bodies requiring snob works would be granted tho monoy for them by the Government at a very low rate of interest. He contrasted tbo Canterbury votes with tbo West Coast and other votes. Tbo dieoussion developed into eomo boated words between tbe Leader of tbe Opposition and tbe Minister of Pablio Works, Tbe latter said that tbo votes given to Mr Massey and ibe members of his party disproved tbe statement that be (the Minister) was influenced by parties. He denied that ho was so influenced. Mr Massey : I eay you are, and don't take any notice of your denial. Tbe Minister; r i.'hen what is tho use of my denying ? I repeat tbs denial, and I treat your attitude with contempt Mr Massey -: Tho bon. member and bis satellites may treat my statement with contempt, but I can give iastanoes from my own district whioh prove my charge. Tbe Hon. tho Speaker, who joined in ibe chorus of condemnation, was very emphatic ia bis statements about the absurd manner in which money was expended on the West Coast. Some looal bodies sent in applications for woiks that were quite unnecessary, and works not required were done, while others that were required were left out of tbe Estimates. Tbe Minister not seeming inclined to reply to Mr Gainness, tbo latter at cnee, and with some warmth, moved to report progress. He raid he was not going to have his remarks treated with contempt-. Mr Hall-Jones generally defended bis estimates, and said that be was not going to listen entirely to local bodies, as some of them were not representative of the people, and there were hon, members who played into their hands. Ho was going to exeroise his own discretion, and give tbe small man and tho larger man equal consideration. Mr Guinness said the Department was making roads on the West Coast that WQhld soarpely ever be used, and which ia

a very fow years would bo ovorgrown wish Wf-eds sud bramblts. Mr Herrica laughingly stated that when ho failed to got monoy for a necessary work he used the liberal and labor federation as a lever. (Laughter.) lie urged them to tell the Government that the only chance of putting him out was to give the grant that was being asked for. (.Laugh j ter ) That sometimes succeeded. The Premier dealt with Air Jennings, who lie stated had received a very large vote for his district. Air Jennings, however, stuck to his guns and said tho settlors throughout iiis district wore indignant because of the way their requirements were treated in this I year's estimates.