"SUMMONS ME."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 269, 13 November 1935, Page 10

"SUMMONS ME."

MR. COATES REPLIES,

MR. CAUGHLEY CHALLENGED,

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS ISSUE.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DARGAVILLE, this day, A challenge to the Democrat candidate for Kaipara (Mr. Caughley) to summons him in connection with Mr. Caughley'g allegations regarding the public account* was issued by the Minister of Finance Mr. Coates, at Tangowahine last night,' Mr. Coates addressed meetings at Aranga and Ivailiu yesterday afternoon and was voted confidence at both places. He is speaking at Tangaihi, Red -Hill, Bassetts Block and To Kopiiru to-day. At Tangowahine last night there was a capacity house of over 100 workers and settlers. Mr. Coates made a spirited reply to the allegations made by Mr, Caughley at Helensville on Monday night. "If what Mr. Caughley thinks is true, whf- doesn't he summons the Minister of Finance through the courts?" he asked. "As a matter of fact it's a lot of latent hot air and doesn't get him.any. where." Accounts All Certified. Mr. Coates said that every account is had submitted had been certified as correct by the Auditor-General. Every balanco had been in order. Regarding the alleged suppression of the reports, he said the House had plenty of opportunity to discuss them in ona form or other and they had been discussed. "If Mr. Caughley were a member— personally I don't think he ever will belie would know that it is ridiculous to suggest that Mr. Forbes and I keep our flat feet on a report," continued Mr, Coates. "It is a flight of imagination and some of the uninitiated may be caught. Everything has ben certified as correct by the Auditor-Ceneral, and Mr. Caughley, and a hundred like him, yelling doesn't cut any ice. If he wiinta to have a crack at me through the courts, let him go right ahead. It will amuse him quite a lot and cost him quite a lot, too. Questioned about the uncompleted Dargaville branch line, Mr. Coates said he would give an undertaking that if he were returned the line would be completed. The position was ridiculous. One could almost step over the gap. v