PARLIAMENT Minister Denies “Sly Departure” In Policy

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28983, 26 August 1959, Page 14

PARLIAMENT Minister Denies “Sly Departure” In Policy

(Aetc Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 25.

Opposition assertions that the building of a new house in the Wellington suburb of Karori for the Commissioner of Police (Mr W. S. Brown) represented a sly departure from previous policy were denied by the Minister of Police (Mr Connolly) in the House of Representatives tonight.

When the vote in the Estimates for the Police Department was under discussion. Mr T. P. Shand 'Opposition, Marlborough) said that he had been given to understand that a new house was being built in Karori for the Police Department. and that suggestions had been made that the house was for the Commissioner of Police. Mr Connolly: You know who it's being built for.

Mr Shand: Yes. I do know now. but since when has the Government changed its policy and is now building houses for departmental heads?

Mr J. M. Deas <Government, Otahuhu): Since no bonuses were paid and no compensation. “And how many other things is the Government sneaking away with and not asking Parliament about them?" asked Mr Shand, demanding that the Minister disclose the price of the double section and the cost of the house. He also wanted to know who decided the building priority of the house, whether the Cabinet agreed, and how far it was proposed to extend the new policy. Was it to be assumed that houses for other departmental heads were being or were to be built, or was this an isolated instance?

"Done in Sly Way” "I hope there is nothing to be ashamed of except that it is being done in a sly way,” said Mr Shand. The Deputy-Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. R. Marshall) said it had not been past policy for the Government to provide houses for heads of departments. He asked the Minister to say what the cost was of connecting the

“Someone has gone around with a very small mind probing into all these things,” the Minister said.

house with the gas supply, then removing the connexion and replacing it with electricity. Mr D. C. Seath 'Opposition. Waitomo) said the country would be committed to the exependiture of about £250.000 if every departmental head was to be provided with a house. If that was the case, then the public would be deeply concerned.

Minister’s Reply “I can answer all the points— I expect the price of the house will be £4OOO and it’s being built by the Ministry of Works,” said Mr Connolly in reply. He added that he could not be expected to carry the details of the price of every one of the 65 houses which were being built for the police. Mr Connolly said that the Karori section had been bought by the Police Department 20 years ago and had remained idle. It just fell short of the area required for two houses, and would be worth about £lBOO today. As the commissioner was having difficulty in finding a suitable house, and as Police Department land was available, it had been decided to build. The commissioner would pay rent. “There’s nothing secret or underhand about that,” said Mr Connolly.

The house would be ready for occupation in about five weeks. Two former commissioners lived in Police Department houses. Gas did not suit the future occupants, and electricity was connected instead.