“GLASSHOUSES...”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 737, 9 August 1929, Page 8

“GLASSHOUSES...”

COST OF PRIME MINISTER’S HOME FURNISHINGS AND UPKEEP (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter) PARLIAMENT BLDG.. Tbursda* During the last three years that ttr Reform Government -was in office nnl keep and alterations in connection with the residence of the then Prime Minister cost £10,500. That was a statement made in the House this evening by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom answer to allegations by Mr r’ a Wright (Wellington Suburbs) that the present Government had spent monev needlessly since it had come into office on the refurnishing and alteration of Ministerial rooms. Mr. Wright said that the Reform Party had been twitted with extrava. gance, but people who lived in giag. houses should not throw stones. With a deficit likely the new Government had spent a considerable sum 0 f money in alterations to the Ministerial rooms and their furnishings. w tile Reform Government had continued in office there would have been no deficit and the party would have lived within its means till the end of the financial year, and not spent unneces. sarily. “I have heard.” said Mr. Ransom. “Mr. Wright say that people who lived in glass houses should not throw stones and I have reflected how true the saying is. I will show Mr. Wright that it was not wise to throw stones."’ He had asked for information regarding the residence at 260 Tinakori Road, the residence he understood of the late Prime Minister. He had found that during the last three years ended March 31, the cost ot altera, tlons, furnishings and upkeep of gar. dens was £ 10,500. This statement was greeted with murmurs and ejaculations ot incredulity from members of the House. Mr. Ransom said that that repre. sented a sum of £3,500 without interest charges, and yet the House was told of the careful and economical Government that had gone out of office. He would recommend that to gentlemen for consideration.