ANOTHER SKIRMISH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 186, 6 August 1913, Page 8

ANOTHER SKIRMISH.

PARTY FINANCE AND FAIR CRITICISM. AVON DELIVERS A BROADSIDE. (By Tolegrapli Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON , , Tuesday. In the course of his speech at the Wellington Town Hall last night, Sir Joseph Ward expressed the opinion that finance was one of the matters which should be raised above party polities. This attitude was -attacked by the Prime Minister to-night while speaking in the Homo. "I think/ said the Hon. Mr MasscT, "that it is absolutely right that the policy of the party iv Opposition should bo to look closply into every financial proposal that conies before" Parliament. When we sat on the other side of the House I do not think that much escaped us .regarding the financial proposals of the Government. Now that the positions arc reversed I should like to &cc the same applied to us. There is no occasion to go to extreme?, but reasonable and honest criticism will always be welcomed by numbers on this side of the House. I certainly do not think that financial proposals should be put above pajsty polities," added the Leader of the Government.

Upon the Premier resuming his seat, Mr Russell rose and beaming across the intervening space announced the pleasure it gave him to hear the Prime Minister invite critical opinions. "The present Gove/nmens," wont on Mr Russell, with a ready acceptance of the opportunity •afforded him, "which when in Opposition was a non-borrowing party (Ministerial cries of dissent), and which came into power almost as a non-borrowing Government (renewed an'l fervent cries: No, no!), has proceeded to brir.g in proposals whi'h not by the widest stretch of imagination could be termed nouborrowing.' , (Opposition laughter.) The member for Avon thon turned his attention to the criticism of others upon the Government, in the course of which he remarked that the Reform journal of Auckland, the "N.Z. Herald," had practically called for the dismissal of the Minister of Public Works, also the Minister of Railways, and very nearly called for the dismissal of his esteemed friend, the Minister of Public Health. (Derisive laughter.) "If this journal proposes th<; disniiss.il cf three members cf the Ministry, whom does it wish to see in their places?" asked Mr Russell, and ventured the opinion that it v.-as being discovered that there were some very good men on the Opposition side of the House. It was quite possible, in fact, that by next i election time the "N.Z. Herald" ami others would hold considerably modified views about the parties.

The member was going on to speak of the millions which tte Government were borrowing, when the Hon. Mr Fraser inter joctc<!, ""Why don't you change sides?" (Laughter.) Mr Russell: We will change sides when the public put us there. (Renewed laughter.) Government members: When? Mr Russell: After next election. The member for Avon continued amid a roaring fire of interjections: They arc there, and they are trying to persuade themselves that they are genuine Liberals, because they are trying to carry on a little of th-e LibeTal party's policy, but take them on the whole, they are the biggest lot of turncoats tha"t have ever sat on the Treasury benches." "Very interesting to hear the hon. gentleman talking of turncoats," commented the Hon. Mr Herries; '-it is enough to make a cat laugh. If the Opposition leaders got back to the Treasury benches they -would be found advocating measures passed by the present Government. They were so astonished at seeing the Government carrying liberal measures and refusing to adopt the conservative cloak, tlrat they were annoyed and disappointed that there would be nothing for them to talk about to the electors."

Mr Wilford; Why do you not start on education?

The Minister; We have another session before us.