A BETRAYAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 336, 24 September 1932, Page 5

A BETRAYAL

("Post" Special Commissioner.)

WIDOWS* PENSIONS GOVERNMENT MEMBER SAYS PROMISE HAS BEEN BROKEN THREAT TO COALITION

Wellington, Friday. Dissatlsf action with the attitude adop°ed by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Mon. G. W. Forbes, in regard to the request that legislation should be promoted to reStore the allowanee to Miners' widows, was expressed by the Government member for Thames, Mr. A. M. Sanniel, in an interview with the "Post" Commissionier to-day. The question asked by Mr. Samuel ■vas whether the Government would :ring down immediate legislation to 3store the pensions as promised by he Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. Mr. Forbes replied that each case vould be considered on its merits and 10 denied that Mr. Coates had made my promise. Mr. Samuel said to-day that he onsidered what had happened was m ahsolute betrayal, not only of a womise given by a Cabinet Minister who was leading the Government at he time, but an unforgivable betrayal ;f women who were in reeeipt of the lension. Mr. Samuel said that on the third eading of th > measure last session, -o had made it plain that had it not een for Ihe promise of Mr. Coates, he Government would have been in 'n.uger of d feat 011 the National Exondilure Adjustment Bill. Several lembers had voted with the Gover.n"umt 011 the understanding that the i"' mise would be carried out. He was sure that members of the House would resent the promise be-L'-g Irehcn and the Prime Minister's acLon might have very serious consequeaees 011 the life of the Government. Mr. Samuel mentioned that he had Mai a communication from Mr. Forss to the effect that the matter /culd be. considered before Parliament ict on September 22, when the Gov■rnnient's policy would be announced. \s 110 definite statement had been made, he had no option but to raise he question in the House.