“A SCAPEGOAT”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 26 July 1929, Page 6

“A SCAPEGOAT”

EX-MINISTER OR FINANCE ALLFGATION AGAINST RKLME MINISTER, (LVy Telegraph.) (From “l'he Mail’s” Parliamentary reporter.) WELLINGTON, 25th July. An allegation that the Prime .Minister (the 18. lion. Sir Joseph Ward) was lining the ex .Minister of Finance as a scapegoat for his failure lo carry out his election promises was made in the House of Represenl.nl i\ l es In-night, by the lion. R. A. Wright, who said the IVimc Minister was supported hv I lie linn. T. M. \\*i I ford. "I believe the “rime .Minister never expected to he in I lie position he now occupies,” said Mr Wright. "I believe he made a lot of promises in the belief that lie would never he called upon to redeem them. Now the promises have conic home, they are calling for fulfilment and the Prime Minister can’t do it.’’ Mr Wright referred to the loan of £70,000,000 which the Prime Minister had stated lie would raise at 4/, per cent, and lend out at 4j( per cent. Unl'orlunately the Prime Minister had decided the rate at which he would lend tlie money before lie found out what it would cost him. Now (lie Prime Minister had found it could not lie done. “Not onlv is that the position.” said Mr Wright, “hut the Prime Minister lias turned round and endeavoured ’.ufind a scapegoat in the previous .Minister of Finance.” The Prime Minister should take the House into his confidence and tell it what tin* lute Minister of Finance had done. The late Finance Minister lias justified himself and it was up to the Prime Minister to bring forward some evidence to show aelitally what was done. ' In reply Mr Wilford quoted the folilowing letter from Mr 11. F. Hayes, ■secretary lo the Treasury. 25/7/29. Memo to Minister of Finance. As you are aware all correspondence and cables relating lo these and other transactions in London are strictly confidential and cannot he made public. All negotiations leading up to borrowing in London are under a confidential seal and have always been so in the interests of the Dominion. If it is to obtain the best- opinion and results these conditions must he held inviolable. Mr Wilford: “The lion, gentleman has asked for papers which he knows lie, can t- get. Here is the position. The late Minister of Finance lias embarrassed this Ministry and I say it just as authoritatively as the Prime Minister.”