MEMBERS' RIGHTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1925, Page 1

MEMBERS' RIGHTS.

MR FORBES REPLIES TO MINIS

WELLINGTON. Sept. 18.

Opening his speech on the debate on ihe Public Works Statement m the House to-,lay Mr Korbos replied to attack made on Hie Opposition hy ihe Minister of Lands, the lion. A. D. AMLeod when speaking at Wanganui recent Iy. The Minister had charged the Opposition members with "blowing hot and cold,” and asked whether those people who talked about Die extravagance of the Government would like to say they wouhl cosim* their <h‘nil,lids for extra votes of _ money t"l ibis, that and lh*' other lliine. • | take it Dial I lie Mim-er ol I,ami' i- the liioulli piece of Die ('ovei'i:ment.” said M r I'orbes. "He seems lie the one who does all the talking for them." According to the M"Vjo' ~| Lands when there "a- Die -li.gloesf murmur trom- the Opposition m anv ineinher who did not s ,M ' l '."' ~V e with i.hc Governmeiil in regard to expenditure they were charged with being imonsistent and with h-lowing hoi and eohl. I hat had been a 1 common in politics !>o a goo* inan.\ vear-. If it was true that Dm t, o - ei litneul could not stand up to the d>inatuls for I'Xpelidillire t hon it was Die weakest Cmvermnieiil Die country had ever bail. The story of the Minister or Lauds was that expenditure was lo lie made, not according to "'hat Hie country could all'ord. but. according t" the amount of pressure that could •' excricd npoll ihe Government. O'” Minister had suggested that members who had been criticising Die Government had asked for another £2<>.<>oO.Wo of expendtui'e. 'the speaker did 111,1 remember being attached to any deputation or agitation which had smigm the expenditure of L’2(>.o(KboOo, hut the Minister, perhaps, was prone to he a link, extravagant. "1 suppose we have to allow a lit lie lor Die Minister's imagination.” proceeded Mr loihe.-. Hon. J. A. I lamm : dir Janies Allen used to say that when money was going members should have a share ot it. Mr Forbes said that it "' ls I* l1 ’ Die Government lo say how much money il would expend in each district, bul mcinliei's of Parliament bail a duly |heir districts, and im Minister ha" :1 (iehl I" 2" winning round the cenniry'"saying’ linn the Govenmieul w.c b : i,lly treated, because member- were putting forward the ju-t claim- I n I heir 'districts. D would almost appear from the statement of Die Mi"ii,.r ~f Lands ns if the money went mi > members’ own p." k,-i -• I 1 ' ,m 1 !'• Minister’s siati'tueiit. it would -••'■m

that the only people wiio 'aoiiel gel uiouev were those meml.iTs who lip and gave the Government a pat on the hack. That was the ol lhe Minister’s .-inlcment. 'the otm-r t {;j v tho Primo Minisl«*r h:ul t«> an assertion in one ol the northern papers that a member of Die Government party eonld get tniything Imm the Government. "I maintain. pi"ceedi'ii Mr Forbes, “that it is enlisisteni for a mctnl>er of Parliament

to point out extravagances in regard n, public expenditure and at th" same time come along with a deputation and a-k that the needs ol his district should receive fair treatment. It is very illogical altogether that we should be charged with blowing Ini and cold. If these gentlemen (the Government) do not feel themselves capable "I governing the ('"Uiitry and withstanding pressure they should make room tor somebody else.

The Prime Miu-ter: !h'' l ’e i> :lii anoinalv somewhere. Mr Forbes: The anomaly is on the part of the .Minister of Lands, when he makes statements like this. Ihr impre— ion he tries to create is that niomhers who do not criticise are the ones who receive public money. Mr Wright t Wellington Suburb.- 1 : He did not -ay that. Mr Forbes: That 1- "hat n means. If von lire on tii,?' (lovemmeni side ami applaud Ministers for Being heaven borne statesmen you are the the man wiio receives public mnne> and noliodv else. Mr Wright: 1: doe- not work out Dun way. "Tile honourable member 1")' M Islington Suburbs -:iv- it - not " .tk out that way." replied Mr l-orbe.-. 1 d., not hi. -w wi.at hi- expefi-nrv hf-U'-eit. hut a getitl'-man in the tar corner nv- that it does occur.'