“CABINET OF BLUFFERS”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 July 1929, Page 6

“CABINET OF BLUFFERS”

SPEECH BY EX-MINISTER NEW TITLE FOR SIR JOSEPH WARD (By Telegraph) (From “The Mail’s” Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, 26th July. Challenging' the Government as a party of bluffers, Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs), speaking in humorous vein in the House of Representatives last night, suggested a new title for the Prime Minister.

“This Cabinet we have got,” said Mr Wright, “is a Cabinet of bluffers. They bluffed themselves into office, and it has been bluff ever since. The Cabinet Ministers on tour put up bluff, saying all about how the country felt .towards them and what was going to happen if there was a dissolution. Before 'tho election there was any amount of bluff.” A voice: “They called your bluff.” Mr Speaker: “Order.” Mr Wright: “The lion, member is mistaken. The triumphal march of the Prime Minister through the country was more bluff. Then this cry of going to tho country if there is a crisis in the House is further bluff. The borrowing of money at 4i- per cent, at 95 is more bluff. *‘l notice;” lie continued, “that the present High Commissioner reached the end of his appointment a little while ago, hut his time was extended until September next. Evidently the job is being kept warm for somebody. Hie man in the street says that at the end of September it may ho necessary to extend the- present occu. pancy of the office for a little time longer and that then the Prime Minister himself will go Home to tlio Old Country and take over the High Commissionership. That is the rumour. If there is any truth in it, I believe the right bon. gentleman would grace the position quite as well as any oth6r. I believe if lie. went Home in any capacity, if lie wished it ho could go up another step in honour. He. has got a title now, and I believe fie would get an Earldom if lie went to London. If I may suggest it, I suggest he should call himself after some New Zealand town, and I suggest, seeing that lie comes from t f, 1 ? outh ’ t,lat I,e should take the title ot Earl of Awarua, Lord Bluff’.” (Loud laughter.)