A MISREPRESENTATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 250, 22 October 1928, Page 6

A MISREPRESENTATION.

The error made by the Prime Minister in rteferring to . Sir Joseph Ward's borrowing proposals as a one-year programme is defended in the "Herald" on the ground that Sir Joseph Ward has only himself to blame if his remarks have been misconstrued. It is stated that Sir Joseph's statement that he would introduce seventy millions within one year was not qualified at. any-time during the speech. But it was so qualified. At the end of his speech Sir Joseph Ward made a further reference to the matter, in which he explained clearly that the money would be raised over a period of from eight to ten years. This will be found in our report of the meeting, and there is a reference to it in the Press Association message sent from Auckland that night. The following day Sir Joseph Ward repeated the explanation. The Christchurch "Press" in an editorial on Thursday referred to the borrowing as spread over a period. It was on Friday that the Prime Minister made the reference to which Sir Joseph Ward objected. The rush of travel may have caused Mr. Coates to overlook Sir Joseph's explanation. If so, he should take the first opportunity, of .acknowledging his mistake. There will be no excuse whatever for other Reformers to make the iHiwtair*, j