SOME EXCHANGES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 124, 7 March 1935, Page 3

SOME EXCHANGES

A PERSISTENT CRITIC.

MR COATES SPEAKS OUT. (Special to the “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, March 6. The most persistent critic of many features of the Mortgage Corporation Bill is Mr Poison (Stratford) who, as many hours long during which efforts were made to induce the Minister of Finance to accept liability oil behalf of the State Advances Office for rate arrears in respect of properties resumed. Mr Coates declined to allow the particular clause under review to be made a test of the principle. “The Crown is morally responsible to do it now.” advised Air Poison.

This proved to be the final irritation to the Minister of Finance, who, turning on his tormentor, declared, “So long as there is a little bit of opposition he will run. He runs round and round the mulberry bush. He runs around so much that I cannot tell where he is, hut he lias done all a man can to prevent the Government getting the Bill through and if it turns out a success, as we anticipate, be will be the first one to cry from the house tops ‘That is something I have done.’ ” (Laughter). Mr Poison: The Minister must not measure me by his own standard. Mr Coates: He wilts whenever he meets trouble and what is more, surrounds himself with a whole lot of resolutions, though, what we want is men who think tilings out for themselves and steadily pursue a policy that will give effect.

Minister Challenged. Mr Poison: I challenge the Right Hon. gentleman. Mr Coates: He has challenged me on every platform and has told them that they are going to pay 7 per cent for their money. It is too silly to take notice of it. Mr Poison; That is not correct. Mr Coates: Of course he is a very nice man (laughter), but he has not lost one opportunity of making it difficult for the Government in passing this Bill. Air Poison: lam opposed to the prinieple of the Bill. Mr Coates: And he voted for the second reading because he approved of the principle, but did not like details. Mr Samuel (Thames): Is this a private fight? Mr Coates: It is just that. lam amazed to he asked to take the advice of an hon. genleman who on every conceivable occasion is opposed to us. Mr Coates suggested that the question of Crown liability for rates was one of broad principle, which should not he discussed on that clause. Difficulties 'of collection of rates and the liability which fell on other ratepayers was a matter which the Government would take into very serious consideration when the next Budget was prepared. He was prepared to meet the Counties’ Association and the municipal bodies with a view to seeing, if difficulties existed, how far it was practicable for the Government to assist, but he could not accept as a test a clause in the Bill. “Played the Game.” Mr Poison was instantly on bis feet and declared that the Minister had seen fit to make a violent attack on him, suggesting, that he was inconsistent in voting for the second reading and then voting against, a great many clauses. While he would not deny a second reading he hoped to be able to assist in some amendments that would make the Bill more workable, but the Minister drove it through m spite of the fact that a large num jci of members were opposed to him, some being in the Government ranks. Mr AlcLeod (Wairarapa): Speak for yourself. , , TVfr Poison: Some of the Government members are opposed, and I pla-jed the game with the Government. I went to the Prime Minister *on two occasions before the Bill came- down, explained my objections, and. told him. I could not support the principle, of shareholder capital and would vote against it. Every member of the Government party knows I took up a definite attitude oil a certain occasion. * Mr AlcKpen: In caucus? (Laughter.) Mr Poison: I am not going to say where, but the House can judge. The Division. This was the culminating point in the whole discussion, for within a few minutes the committee had divided on the adoption of ilie clause, which was retained by 36 votes to 31. Following is tlio division list:— ' ’ Ayes. Ansell Holland. Bitchener Holyoake Bodkin Kyle Broadfoot Linklater Burnett Lye Campbell McLeod Olinkard McSkimnung Coates Macmillan ■Cobbe Macpherson Connolly Massey, J. N. Dickie Murdoch Endean Reid Field Smith .Forbes Stewart, W. D. Hamilton Stuart Hargest Te Tome Hawke Williams Hedly > Young Henare Noes. Armstrong Nash, W. Atmore O’Brien Barnard Parry Carr Poison Coleman Richards Fraser Rushworth Howard Samuel Jones Savage Jordan Schramm Jull Semple Langstone Sullivan Lee Veitck McDouga.ll Webb McKeen Wilkinson Alason Wright Alunro PAIRS. For the Clause, Ransom Harris Ngata, 'Sir A. De la Perrelle Against the Clause, Stallworthy Chapman Tirikatene Alassey, W. W.