“POLITICAL BRIBERY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 506, 8 November 1928, Page 6

“POLITICAL BRIBERY”

CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES MR. FLETCHER’S ALLEGATION -It all savours of political bribery,” said Mr. J. S. Fletcher, United Party candidate for Grey Lynn, last evening, speaking of the way in which the Gcv* - ernment was alleged to have raised, during the* last week, the salaries ot civil servants. He also mentioned the promise of a part of Motuihi as a marine park and the announcement made by Sir James Gunson of the starting of the Morningside tunnel a week before the elections. “I challenge the Reform Government to deny that salaries in certain branches of the Civil Service have been raised within the last few days.’ said Mr. Fletcher, “and the people of New Zealand have every right to ask why these increases have been given. I am In favour of good salaries being given to civil servants, but, if it is true that the salaries have been raised within the last week, •it proves an attempt on the part of the Government to win votes bv unfair means.” Mr. Fletcher also demanded why a contract had been given to Price’s engineering works for two locomotives during an election campaign. He told electors that it was obvious the Government was trying to save Mr. A. M. Samuel’s seat in Thames by “buying votes on the eve of the election. A vote of confidence in Mr. Fletcher was carried by a huge majority.