NOT CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1928, Page 6

NOT CRICKET

SIR JOSEPH AVARD ON REFORM ETHICS.

WELLINGTON, Dec. 3

Lively exchanges between the Prime Minister and.Sn - Joseph AVard were beard when the Leader of the Opposit i<,j i, in moving his no-confidence amendment, complained that Air Coates had persisted in misrepresenting the seventy million loan policy by suggesting, despite newspaper reports agreeing to the contrary, that the whole sunt was to be Itorrowed in one year. At Dunedin lie was corrected by an audience, hut went further south and said it again, which, declared Sir Joseph AVard, was not playing cricket. As a matter of fact, lie could not borrow seventy millions in a year, and certainly could not expend it in that period. This was not the only criticism lie must make of Reform ethics. The Prime .Minister kept on .saying that live United candidates had withdrawn because of the seventy-million loan propsal. Air Coates: 1 said nothing of the kind. J said two took fright. (Laughter). Sir Joseph AAnird: That was not correct. I know one, who did, and how lie did it. As a rule Reformers have a band in Hies tilings and they did on this occasion. (Laughter from the Government, benches). The Prime Alinisler: The right honourable gentleman must not speak too soon. AVait until the proposals come down.

Sir Joseph AVard: As a matter ol fact I am not going to rely on (lie right honourable gentleman to support my proposals. It Hie House will not help me. the country will. (Applause from, I'llitod benches). You won’t catch me skirmishing around and getting under the lee of anybody to carry them through. Supposing it were true about those men, where are they now? If we cannot get authority for these things within a month or six weeks, we will not stay hero.

Sir .Joseph AVard added that he wanted prompt authority lo relieve the settlors of the Dominion from want of money, and the- workers Irmn the need of money to build homes. IT Hie Prime Minister did not know if, he could show him evidence from scores of letters from workers and farmers who were almost bleeding to death financially.

The Minister of Finance: I will band you over my autlririrms now. Sir Joseph AVard : The financial statement. seni around to-day shows bow utterly useless in recent times lias been the State Advances Department. Here was a statement showing the amount’ proposed to. be advanced, but they bad not gone out.

The Hon AY. I townie Stewart : A'ou will not require legislation. FIX ,\y-fl.\L REMNANTS REFUSED

Sir Joseph AVard retorted that hewas not going to accept the remnant'of the Government. Did the House l hink be was so callow and inexperienced as .to accept the Government’.six or seven millions of commitments 7 Did anyone think be was so foolish ato attempt to carry on a great policy nn the shreds of money, provided for. in the last year's proposals, the remnants of six or seven millions which the Government provided to carry on thei’ wlnle operations? He was proposing to obtain sixty mil!ions for advancing to settlers and ten millions, the approximate c-'vst of completing the longer railways. Though he had been called ‘‘Borrow, boom or bust.” Tie was tlie only Finance Alinister in the history of New Zealand who bad paid over '•edit mi'lious into the Rub-lie. Work’ Fund, lie thought it cool political audacity for the Prime Minister to say of him, “AYe do not know him.” Ali: Coates: I challenge the honour able gentleman to prove that. Sir .Joseph Ward: T?accept the (Fallen go, and. if lie will get a ring milside. 1 will go out and settle him now. (.joiid laughter).