"FAMILY QUARREL?"

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 233, 1 October 1932, Page 10

"FAMILY QUARREL?"

MR. FORBES AND MR. $AMUEL MINERS' WIDOWS' PENSIONS. CROSS FIRE IN THE HOUSE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. An element of acrimony tinged further references in the House to-day to the differences between the Prime Minister and Mr. A. M. Samuel (Government, Thames), on the miners' widows' pensions issue. After dealing with newspaper reports of statements made in the House last session, Mr. Forbes said that if it was a question of accepting the word of Sir. Samuel or that of Mr. Coates he thought he knew which would be taken. "Naturally you would," interposed Mr. Samuel. Mr. Forbes said he thought Mr. Coates was entitled to an apology from Mr. Samuel. Mr. Samuel: I think the apology is on the other hand. Mr. Forbes said a Minister could not very well guarantee specific legislation since all legislation haft first to be approved by Cabinet, aysj. it was not brought down at the instance of one individual Mr. Samuel: Why did you not contradict my statements when I placed them on record at the time? Mr Forbes: I don't think 'I was in the House. If I were I would not consider I was called upon to answer them. A Member: Then you should get out of your job. Mr. Forbes contended that Mr. Samuel should have accepted the word of Mr. Coates when it was given. Mr. Samuel had been ungraceful in his references to United party supporters, who, at the last election, had helped to secure his return. "For myself," said Mr. Forbes, "I am only too pleased to acknowledge my indebtedness to my erstwhile opponents in lay electorate who did their iest to secure my return. I am certain ;hat when, as the head of the party, I made an appeal for support for official candidates, a great many United party followers in Thames rallied round Mr. Samuel, although he says to-day that they were no good to him." Mr. Samuel: Do you think I should thank them for joining the Opposition? Mr. Forbes: The whole thing is a matter for Mr. Samuel himself. It seems that the greatest thing in his speech was to show how he nearly defeated the Government. Mr. Samuel: Rot, nonsense! Mr. Forbes: His is a mining constituency, but if there is one thing miners like it is loyalty to their mates. Mr. Samuel: It was more than they were getting from you. "Iβ this a family quarrel?" inquired Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour, Manukau). Mr. Forbes: No, but when statements are made it is only right that the public should know the other side Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier): Merely discipline! (Laughter).