Party Heat Stirred in War Funds Debate

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 442, 25 August 1928, Page 5

Party Heat Stirred in War Funds Debate

RELIEF FOR SOLDIERS SOME UNPLEASANT RALLIES (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. Party warmth was again apparent in the committee stages on the Estimates in the House of Representatives yesterday, when Labour, initiating an attack on the administration of war funds by the National War Funds Council, was accused by Reformers, notably the Hon. A. D. McLeod, with simply attempting to raise political capital. This led at times to a brisk argument in which Mr. McLeod was again the target for Labour thrusts, while one or two on the Labour side were Sharply called to order. “You would drop your own brother I for political reasons,” was one of the plesantries with which Mr. McLeod | was assailed. The first attack was opened by Mr. D. G. Sullivan in the afternoon, and was replied to by Sir John Luke on behalf of the War Hounds Council in the evening. Sir John Luke stated that the council did not accept the responsibility of using up the funds without first giving the matter thorough consideration. The council's total assets, £162,302, were by no means excessive in view of the important work ahead. Mr. Sullivan insisted that the council should do more. The Hon. Downio Stewart: This fund is just a reservoir. societies are paying out all tfie time. Mr. Sullivan: There is still need for more generous provision for soldiers. Local societies are very rigid and applicants have got to put up a remarkably good case to get assistance. Mr. J. A. Lee said that there was a great need for liberality in such a time of stress as at present. Mr. H. T. Armstrong: The children ©f returned men are hungry and in want. Sir John Luke: They need not be if they communicate with the council. Mr. Armstrong said that Poppy Hay was simply a begging institution, for which there would be no need if the Government were efficient. Mr. Stewart: The returned soldiers are not complaining. Mr. Armstrong: Of course they are. Mr. Stewart: The executive of the R.S.A. is not. “NEVER TURNED DOWN” Mr. Armstrong: They are, and their dependants are starving. Mr. H. Holland (Christchurch North), described the work done in Christchurch by the Patriotic Society, which had distributed all but £31,000 of funds originally totalling £235,000. Applicants had never yet been turned down by the council and returned soldiers had expressed complete satisfaction. Mr. Sullivan said that he was not associated with the Christchurch Patriotic Society. Such societies saw that their membership included no Labour men. Mr. J. A. Nash, in reply, said those making the criticism had been guilty of gross misrepresentation. The chairman, Mr. F. F. Hockly, ■would not allow the word “gross,” and Mr. Sullivan, after some hesitation, withdrew it, adding that they were only r anxious to help the soldiers. Mr. Hownie Stewart said that the returned soldiers themselves had taken the stand that funds should not be used for the relief of unemployment, as if that were done the money would at once be all absorbed. Nevertheless, the council had lately made special grants to relieve unemployment. “NOT INTERESTED” Mr. W. E. Parry opened his particular contribution by referring to the usual grunt of the Minister of Lands, which remark the chairman ordered to be withdrawn. Mr. Parry, in reading the report of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association, remarked: : “I hope Mr. McLeod is listening.” Mr. McLeod: I'm not particularly interested. Labour voices: No! You never are! Mr. Lee: We won’t forget that remark. Mr. Parry was continuing regarding Poppy Day when the chairman ruled him out of order. Mr. McLeod, following up his interjection, said that his contact with and work for the returned soldiers had been more than Mr. Parry’s, either during the war or since. Mr. Parry: That’s questionable. Mr. McLeod (amid considerable uproar) said: This agitation was raised cnly for political purposes. Mr. Parry: You would drop your own brother for political purposes. . Mr. J. A. Lee, the next speaker, opened with a reference to unemployment. The chairman: Any reference to unemployment is out of order. Mr. Lee: It’s out of order when I make it, but not when the Minister does so. The chairman (sternly): The hon. member will resume his seat. Any reflection on the chairman is out of order. Mr. Lee obeyed, and after this the discussion proceeded more smoothly.