Sharp Exchanges On N.Z.’s Financial Position In 1957

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 14

Sharp Exchanges On N.Z.’s Financial Position In 1957

(New Zeaiana Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Nov 23. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) called the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) a “silly old ass” in the House of Representatives tonight. To a chorus of objections from the Labour benches, Mr Holyoake immediately withdrew his remark. He made the statement after Mr Nash said he had “never heard so much humbug from the Prime Minister in five minutes.” The exchange climaxed a lively discussion on a point of order during the debate on Supplementary Estimates for the Customs Department Mr Holyoake, in speaking

on delays in dealing with import licences, blamed the last Labour Government for issuing £6O million extra in licences a few months before the last election.

Mr A H. Nordmeyer (Opposition, Island Bay) said he had never listened to "more unadulterated humbug” than this portion of the Prime Minister’s speech. “This was the same Prime Minister who, in 1957, left the country’s overseas funds £2O million worse off than when he took office,” said Mr Nordmeyer. The Chairman of Committees (Mr Jack) called Mr Nordmeyer to order and said the virtues and vices of past

Governments and the country’s finances three years ago were quite irrelevant Mr Nordmeyer: If my remarks are irrelevant then the Prime Minister's are also. Mr Holyoake submitted that Mr Nordmeyer could refute the statements if he wished.

Mr Nash: Surely we have the right to rebuff statements which are incorrect I have never heard so much humbug from the Prime Minister in five minutes.

Mr Holyoake: Oh, you silly old ass

Mr Holyoake immediately said he would withdraw the remark.

Mr Jack said it was in order for Mr Nordmeyer to rebuff Mr Holyoake’s statement but he could not refer to the manner in which the Prime Minister had left the country’s finances in 1957.