WILKINSON ON QUESTIONS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 53, 24 June 1914, Page 3

WILKINSON ON QUESTIONS

AT ELTHAM ON MONDAY. V i ” l -v i• i *■■■ Vi When question time arrived (stated the Argus) several availed themselves of the opportunity to put a few queries to Mr Wilkinson. Mr G. D. Gow asked: "Is Mr Wilkinson of opinion that the trout fishing industry of Taupo is worth the money spent in the 1 purchase of shrimps?" Mr Wilkinson said he understood that there was another side to the question, and he could not express any definite opinion. On the face of things, and from the questioner’s point of view it did not appear right. Mr Astbury: How can Mr Wilkinson 'reconcile the statement that there were no surpluses and the facts given in Mr Allen’s loan prospectus? Mr Wilkinson said the prospectus was issued in London. A copy would be sent to Mr Allen, but might not reach him for about several weeks and thus he might not know what was done there on his behalf. If one of his (Mr Wilkinson’s) employees weie to make a wrong statement in such a manner he would always back it up. He had said the surpluses were not genuine and could prove it. In 1908 and 1912 he said so, and would say so again. Mr Astbury: Then Mr Allen lied? Mr Wilkinson said he had stated that Mr Allen would not deny any statement made in the prospectus. Mr Gow: But was not Mr Alien at Home at the time the prospectus was issued ?

Mr Wilkinson said he was going to answer Mr Astbury’s question first. It had been the custom from 1870 to 1908 to include moneys received for the sale of Crown lands, but this was nothing but humbug. It was now placed to a special account for the purchase of further land, and Mr Astbury ought to know it. The surpluses of the Liberal Government were not’ genuine. They had improved the position somewhat, but there was room for much further improvement yet. Mr Parrott asked if the prospectus issued at the time the millions of money was borrowed was issued without the Government seeing it? Mr Wilkinson said a copy of the' prospectus was no doubt sent to the Government, but might have been delayed until too late. The next question was: "Does Mr Wilkinson agree to clause I) of the Customs Act, 1911, allowing the Governor to import goods free.” Mr Wilkinson said Sir Joseph Ward com,mittee to consider this matter. It was a customary privilege granted to all Governors. A voice: No.

Mr Wilkinson said Sir Joseph Ward sat on that committee. He made no objection. Mr Parrott asked if the fact that one of tlje Advances Departments possessed money was any argument that no money was available, when it had always Been the rule to transfer sums from one account to the other if required. Mr Wilkinson said when the' Reform Government came into office there was practically no money to lend anyone. Commitments were rashly entered into by the Liberal party which had practically broken down the departments. The Liberal Government had lent huge sums of money to wealthy bodies,' such as the Remuera Road Board, instead of making them go to the London market, and had thus depleted the Treasury. Mr Gow: Does Mr Wilkinson approve of a committee set up by the Government appointing one of its own members.

Mr Wilkinson: Mr Gow no doubt refers to Royd Garlick. Mr Gow: 1 mentioned no names. Mr Wilkinson: But you referred to Royd Garlick. Mr Gow: I did not. Mr Wilkinson: Then you are ingMr Gow said he had asked a straight question. Mr Wilkinson: Well, no doubt you are referring to Royd Garlick, but 1 see nothing in that to make so much noise about. MrAstbury: Does Mr Wilkinson endorse the action of Mr Ernest James, Reform League secretary, in endeavouring to form public opinion against Sir Joseph Ward? Mr Wilkinson; No, I ; lainly do not approve of that kind of business. Mr Astbury: Does Mr Wilkinson approve of the appointment to the Westport Harbor Board of a gentleman with six convictions against him ? Mr Wilkinson said from what he know of the circumstances he would certainly not have appointed the gentleman referred to. But he did not believe that they should keep a man down always because be fell. The sinner might repent. Much had been said with reference to these appointments, but he would like to draw the attention of his audience to some appointments nearer home, namely, those of Mr Dockrill to the New Plymouth Harbour Board, and Messrs Veitch and Hogan to the Wanganui Harbor Board. Two of these gentlemen had held a seat for tiie Government’s political opponents. A voice : What about Mr Fletcher? Mr Wilkinson: He is chairman of the Wellington Harbor Board. A voice: No thanks to the Reform Government. Mr Jacob Marx proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Wilkinson, and also a vote of confidence in him as the in ember for Egmont, and expressed the hope that all would do their best to again return him at the next general election. (Applause). He would also include a vote of confidence in the present Administration. Mr Kell and seconded, and on being , put it was carried.