CHARGE THAT FAILED

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1929, Page 3

CHARGE THAT FAILED

“SPOILS TO VICTORS.” APPOINTEE A REFORMER. WELLINGTON, July 17. Charges made against the Government by Air 11. S. S. Kyle (Rieearton) in connection with the appointment o( a member o( the Lyttelton Harbour Hoard were replied to by the Minister ol Alnriue (fc 1 1 c- Hon. J. G. Cobbc) tonight.

The .Minister said lie was prepared to justify every appointment made to harbour boards since lie assumed charge of the Marine Department. He would have thought that when a member of Parliament was making an attack on the Government he would first .acquaint himself of the actual facts. The appointment of a moirtber of the Lyttelton Harbour Hoard was one of his first acts as .Minister of Marine, and he bad been very careful not to make a mistake. Although be did not regard the matter as being of a great deal of importance lie thought it only right that lie should place the facts of the case on record. The vacancy on the board occurred on December I last and the local authorities concerned were notified on the 'following day. He took office as Minister of Marine on December 10, and two days later received notice of the vacancy. He at once made inquiries and was informed that Mr Judd, a sheopfarmor, was a suitable man for the position. Mr Kyle: Who nominated him? Mr Cohbe: Tins Government docs not intend to divulge .confidential information. (Laughter from the Reform benches). Air J. A. Nash (Palmerston): Tell us the whole story. -Mr Cob be said that when lie approved of the appointment lie had no idea of Mr Judd’s political faith, nor was lie interested. All he was interested in was in seeing that a suitable man was appointed. Since the question of nolitics had been raised he might inform the House that he had had inquiries made and had ifouiul that Air hidd was a Reformer. Mr Judd waij offered the appointment and be accepted it. On December 21 a letter was received from the clerk of the Paparua County Council recommending someme else for the position, but as Alt Judd had already keen appointed it bad been impossible to consider the 'a ter recommendation. Those facts went to show that a member should be very sure of his facts before he ventured to attack the Government.

Air A. AT. Samuel (Thames): What bout the Auckland Harbour Board ppointment?

-Mr Cob be: I am prepared to justify any appointment made to any harbour b'-.ard since I have been Minister of Marine. (“ Hear, hear.”)