REFORM “JOKES”

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1929, Page 8

REFORM “JOKES”

AIINISTER’S SELECTION

SOAIE: CAUSTIC COAIAIENT

AVELLINGTON, August 23

Speaking against a well-sustained barrage of interruption, the Hon A. J. Stallworthy provided a lively interlude in the House of Representatives when, during his speech in the Financial debate, he dealt with what he called the xteform jokes. An attempt was-made to hold up the effort by raising a point of order that the Alinister was reading his speech. However, he countered by explaining that when quoting figures it was most important to refresh his memory. “Some members seem to rbly on their memory for all their jokes,” he added significantly, “and on their imagination for their facts.’ ’

“We are not .inspired,” interjected a Labour member, hut a chorus of “Ohs” discouraged further efforts of that class. •

There really had been some humour in the debate, conceded Air Stallworthy. It was a first-class joke that the Reform Party, which could not produce a Budget which could balance, were now telling the Government how to balance a Budget. After refusing for years, to meet the reasonable. demand of the public for reduction in taxation the Reformers out of office were loudly demanding this, which was a Reform joke. The Party which caused the deficit were ’already enthusiastic over an expected surplus of one and a half millions, which tliei were predicting, a surplus which could only he the result of the revived optimism of the community through the change in Government. That joke should penetrate even the imperviourstupidity of the Reform Opposition (Laughter). “Have a look at this,”, shouted M: Samuel (Thames), displaying a United Party manifesto on a large sheet. “I am exceedingly obliged to the lion gentleman,” retorted the Alinister caustically, “for putting up something h.uing his face and much more pleasant to look at.” (Loud laughter).

After this shot the Alinister was able to make his next point with onl v minor interruptions. He described tin Reform chorus, which Ivewailed the possibility of the seventy million loar policy sending land values up and another chorus from the same quarter lie wailing the Budget policy which would send land values down. It was a political see-saw with Mr David Jones on one side of the,,plank and the member for Wallace on the other. As a mattep of fact it was, perfectly clear that the' Reform Party-. was in a state of sopti r dissolution (Laughter.) Air Semple: - And you are the antisentic. .». , • ■

Continuing, Air Stallworthy tilted a the member, for Wallace who, when concluding a',-speech declared tha" when the history of 1928 came to he w.ritten the Reform Party would he known as the ‘hoax’ party.” Air Hamilton: I corrected myself and said “Labour.”

The Alinitser: I quite understand the mistake.