POLITICS OF MR W. A. VEITCH

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21577, 13 September 1935, Page 14

POLITICS OF MR W. A. VEITCH

MEMBERS CRITICAL

PAST SUPPORT OF COALITION RECALLED tFr®m Our Parllameutarv Reporter.^ WELLINGTON, September 12. The political vacillations' of Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), the North Island leader of the Democrat party, were referred to by Government and Labour members, in the House of Representatives to-day, during the ad-dress-in-reply debate. Mr H. G. R. MaSon (Lab,, Auckland Suburbs) said he was puzzled to know why Mr Veitch should complain of the sins of a Government which he had supported all along. Mr Veitch had helped tho Government to cut down the pensions of widows, returned soldiers, and old people, and to destroy the Arbitration Court. . "In all those interminable divisions that were taken on these problems, When, the Labour party challenged the Government at every stage, the membe? for Wanganui gave his unvarying support to the policy of which he. now complains," said Mr Mason. "Never did any disturbance of conscience come to him when he was assisting to do all those things. Now he Is asking electors to rely on him to institute a policy to put the Government out of office, why? Why should he want to put'but of office a Government that has done exactly what he wanted it to do? Perhaps the honourable gentleman has discovered that there is great indignation throughout the country at the policy of th;; Government."

"Mr Veitch said the policy of the Government was directed by large land owners," said Mr A. Stuart (C. Rangitikei). "I should be pleased if he could inform the House Who is die* tating the policy and finding the funds of the Democrat party. I know of a man who was told recently that the Democrats had more funds in hand and promised than any other political party in New Zealand. Is it the importers who are supporting this new party? The building subsidy was also criticised by Mr Veitch, but the fact remains that it has given a great Stimulus to building throughout the Dominion. Mr Veitch told us that unemployment was due to excessive taxation, and yet he said that more money should be borrowed. He did not tell us how we could borrow without increasing taxation. Another poini made by Mr Veitch was that" our standard of politics should be higher. He has been in every possible political party during the last 24 years, and his new party may be no more successful than the others."