A CHANGE OF TONE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1928, Page 6

A CHANGE OF TONE

AFTER THE ELECTION

SIR. JOSEPH WARD OX REFORM ADVICE.

WELLINGTON, Dec. 6

“I have not so far taken up tlie attitude that I would lie leader of the Government, and I shall not do so till I find myself actually in that position,” said Sir Joseph Ward in the House this afternoon, in explaining that any references he might make to the necessity for obtaining authority for raising money were uttered with a view to showing that if big public works were to be carried out iminedi ately by any Government more money would be required.

Explaining his financial policy. Sir Joseph Ward said his proposal would not cost the country one penny more in taxation. If the main lines of railway were completed the railways would pay interest on the £10,000.000 so expended. At present New Zealand was losing money on all money sunk in railways. Everyone knew that jt»lio construction of railways would absorb a great number of unemployed men. Afore than that, it would mean that many men now employed on railways, who would lose their employment in the normal course, would retain their positions in the railways. There was nothing impossible about bis proposal. Four .sootions of rad wavs, including (be Alain South line. AWstland-Xelson, Gisborne, and the stretch which would connect Taranaki and Auckland provinces would be completed. Did the member for Gisborne agree with that? "Mr Lysnar (Reform member b>r Gisborne): T back you up in that, is common sense.

Sir Joseph said the records showed ■ bat Reform had on the average borrowed as much as lie proposed. Air T), .Tones (Arid-Canterbury) : AA r liv put us out, then?

Sir Joseph retorted that everyone except the Reformers knew that the Government was doomed.’ There Imd been wonderful unanimity on the part of Reform newspapers which sprang into lino suggesting a coalition Government. “/Look at tth'e \‘Otago Daily Times,’ ” said Sir Joseph. “In a lending article it said, ‘Why not a coalition?’ After all. the borrowing proposals of Sir Joseph AVn.rd are only the same.’ Did the Prime AUnistor see that?” Afr Coates: No.

Sir Joseph AVard: Tt is remarkable how Ron gentlemen see only what is good for their digestion. AA by tbi wonderful unanimity after they bad been attacking us tooth and nail ’ Why this wonderful turn-about 1 FLECTION ALTFUGATIYUS.

’ Reverting to his references to i.ho olor-i ion campaign, Sit;, .Toscnh )V;nrd .•said' that all over tlip country it had T>ppn suggested that thorp was only the Reform Party and the Labour Party. Then the educated, “to-nv” Reform journals had drawn a picture of Labour and United voting against the poor l dear Reformers. The suggestion was that if they vote' 1 with Labour they were doomed, and it they didn’t they were doomed also'. “We will, ask no man to do what is against his will, for the purpose of hanging on to our seats,” declared Sir Joseph. who reminded the Boose that prior to the election he had said he would vote with Labour if' necesary to put Reform out. Mr Semple: Some of your snnport- >- Udn’t say that. Sir Joseph: J’m speaking for myself, i'rhe loader of the Opposition went on to show that it was useless for the Minister of Finance to suggest that i there was plenty of nioney available for advances. Throughout the length 'and breadth of New Zealand ther-' v wPr hundreds of men cawing out for money, and they had •’been doing so for years.