'Conspiracy of silence’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33450, 4 February 1974, Page 3

'Conspiracy of silence’

GV Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, Feb. 3. ; | The Federation of Labour; and the Government had en-j tered into a “conspiracy ofj silence” over a break-down of oil price figures, Mr B. C. Beetham. leader of the Social Credit Party, has claimed. Mr Beetham criticised the Government for explaining to the federation rather than the country, why it was not 'prepared to provide a breakdown of figures on the price of oil. I “The F.O.L. does not have a prerogative right to! lan explanation which the Government regards as privileged and highly confidential, and which isj denied to other groups,” he ; said in a statement. “It is most unfortunate that having received the explanation—which many others including the Opposition are just as entitled to receive—the F.O.L. decided to enter into a conspiracy of silence with the Government. j “It is to be hoped the incident does not demonstrate 'the Government cannot gov- ! ern unless it makes the F.O.L. executive privy to I matters which it is not pre-; : pared to reveal to the coun-l try,” Mr Beetham said.