TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1922, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[by telegraph—per press association] VOTE FOit SALE. AUCKLAND, August 22. In u speech at a meeting of the Paefoa branch of the Farmers’ Union, Mr Colbeck, of Morriiisville, who is the Country Party’s candidate for the Ohineinuri seat, said the position now was that they must make a bargain with Mr Massey, otherwise Mr Poland, would slip in between him and the Reform candidate (Ifieut.-Colonel S. S. Allen) —in, other words, the. Country. Party’s vote was for sale. He had offered it to Mr Massey, but, so far, had hot got anything definite. Unless the Country Party got the things they asked for, said Mr Colbeck, they were going to fight the election. The Country Party had been a chopping-block long enough. They had now reached the stage when they could make a bargain with Mr Massey, and they ryere prepared to sell their vote, provided that a Banking Bill, shipping legislation general legislation for pools, and a drastic retrenchment scheme were brought down this session. If Mr Massey would give them these things they would be satisfied. He was in earnest in these -matters, but he was not particularly anxious to contest the seat. He had only stepped in to “fill the bill.”

The “Star” remarks: The rise of the Country Party would be a gain from the national point of view, but the Liberals would be less than human if under all the circumstances, they did not get a kind of malicious enjoyment out of the trouble.

A STATISTICAL COMEDY. WELLINGTON, Aug 23. 'l'be unpromising subject of the comparative taxation per head in Australia and New Zealand produced quite a good exchange of repnrteo between Mr Sidey and the Prime Minister to-day Mr Sidey endeavoured to controvert Mr Massey’s assertion that taxation in New Zealand was less per head than in the Commonwealth. He declared that the reverse was the case and that the Prime Minister was only able to produce a result to suit him by including Maoris in bis New Zealand calculations, a method which was pure camouflage. “Oh you tiro quite- w rong,” said Mr Massey wearily.

Mr Sidey replied by quoting comparative figures slipwing Commonwealth taxation of £l2 5s per head, in 1.922, New- Zealand being £l2 13s Id, including Maoris, or £l3 5s 2d, excluding Maoris. Mr Massey: You are wrong. I have the Commonwealth figures for June and I am the only man ill New Zealand who has them. Mr Sidey: Welt. I cabled to the Cemmemw e.ilfli Statistician for them and hem is bis reply, saying that the Commonwealth (Federal and State) taxation total was £l2 5s per bead. (Laughter).

Mr Wilfurd: Lie got tile latest figures after all. Mr Massey-: No. That is for 1921.

Mr Sidey: “My tabled reply is .August 21st., 1922. The Commonwealth figures for 1921 were £l3 Is per head. Mr Wilford: You win. (Laughter). Dr Thacker: You take the .Tack pot.

Mr Sidey refrained from following up his advantage, but proceeded to inform the House that last year New Zealand’s national debt had -increased by £5 per head, while the interest charge increased at a still greater' ratio than the debt. He regarded it as the most arresting feature of the Budget that notwithstanding all the boasted economies of five millions the striking fact remained that our expendiure for last year was the highest in our history, and our estimated expenditure for this year was only £2788.000 less. AVhile it was true that we were suffering from causes which were world-wide and affecting the prices of our products it was also true that our troubles had been aggravated by Governmental improvidence and want of foresight.