CALLING TOGETHER OF PARLIAMENT

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26121, 25 May 1950, Page 3

CALLING TOGETHER OF PARLIAMENT

LAST POSSIBLE DAY SELECTED

“Mr Holland did not follow the example set him by every Government in my memory, in calling Parliament together early. Instead, he selected the last possible day on which he could do it legally,” said Mr T. H. McCombs. M.P.. who spoke at a meeting at Rangiora last evening addressed by the former Minister of Finance (Mr Nash). The Labour Party felt it was necessary for the “other side of the case” to be put before the people. Mr McCombs said. “If Mr Holland had left the calling together of Parliament a week later, the ..Auditor-Genoral would have been querying Mr Holland’s salary—and inc’.dentally mine, too,” Mr McCombs said. The greatest difficulty in dealing ’..-ith the National Government was in deciding what it meant. Mr McCombs said. Mr Holland had said in February that the deficit in London funds would be £10,000.000 to £15.000,000. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr C. M. Bowden) had said that day that it would be less than £5.000.000. The Minister of Railways (Mr W. S. Goosman) had said the railway deficit would be about £4.000.000. Six weeks ago he had said it would be £1.500.000. and that day he had said it was £1.000.000. “We want to find out just where they stand.” he said. “The opportunity will be across the floor of the House.” During the election campaign many business firms put many thousands into the National Party’s funds, Mr McCombs said. Between 1946 and 1949 the party probably spent £1,000.000. Money had been put in by firms because they believed it would be a good investment. They were now demanding their money’s worth.