IS IT CONFISCATION?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2471, 24 August 1922, Page 3

IS IT CONFISCATION?

MR HOLLAND’S DENIAL. PRIME MINISTER UPHOLDS HIS CHARGE. At question time in the/House yesterday tlie Leader of the Labour Party (Mr Holland) tried to catch the Prime Minister tripping. He drew attention to the Dominion’s report of the Prime Minister’s speech at Foxton, and particularly to the passage in which Mr Massey was stated to have said that the Labour Party’s policy Avas one of confiscation and that the party admitted it. He Avas not going to suggest, lie said, that, the Prime Minister was responsible for the Domin'on’s report, or that the Prime Minister would be dishonourable enough to haA’e recourse to “such a foolish lie” as the report contained. The Prime Minister, of course, would know that the Labour Party had repudiated on the floor of the House the charge that its policy Avas one of confiscation. Mr Massey called the Speaker’s attention to the use of the words “foolish lie.” He took strong exception to them. He Avould not permit his name to be associated with anything, that a member chose to term a “foolish lie.” Mr Holland said he had never suggested that the Prime Minister Avas responsible for “that lie.” He was asking Iris question merely in order that Mr Massey’s denial of the report might go forth to the country.

'Mr Massey said he remembered saying that the policy of the Labour Party was one of nationalising the means of production, distribution, and exchange. Mr Holland: Quite right. Mr Massey: Irthat is not confiscation I da not know Avhaf confiscation means.

Mr Holland: But the report says the party admitted it. Mr Massey: Does the lion, gentleman deny that his policy is one of nationalising the means of produolion, distribution, and exchange? How is he going to get them? Dominion.