MINISTER’S CHARGE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 12

MINISTER’S CHARGE

Political Courage Of Opposition

MR. HARGEST’S REPLY

“Unwarranted Attack” By Mr. Semple

Charges by the Minister of Mines, Hon. P. C. Webb, that the Opposition lacked political courage were replied to by Mr. J. [largest (Opposition, Awarua) speaking in the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. “We have not been devoid of courage in standing up to overwhelming numbers in this House,’’ Mr. Hargest said, “and I think the Minister will find we will stand up to that to the end. If ever a party was on the run it is the Government party.” The .Minister of Education, Hon. I’. Fraser: We are running forward. Mr. Hargest referred to the speech in the debate on Thursday night by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple. "The Minister started off his speech on a high; plane,” Mr. Hargest said, “and said he wanted the election to be conducted on a high plane. But his spech rapidly descended to personalities. He made an unwarranted attack on the member for Christchurch North, Mr. S. G. Holland, when he said Mr. Holland got into Parliament on the back of his father.” The Minister of Public Works had also referred to a circular distributed in the electorate of the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash. “I am on the managing body of the National Party,” Mr. Hargest said, “and we have made every possible search to find where this thing started, but without success.” References to Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Semple had also been extravagant in his references to members outside the House. He had spoken at Christchurch of the Leader of the National Party, Hon. A. Hamilton, in a way which was not to his credit. The inference on that, occasion was that Mr. Hamilton was no good. He said Mr. Hamilton had no good qualities. Mr. Hargest quoted from a pamphlet which he said had been passed round in Auckland in support of the Labour Party’s campaign. He did not suggest that it was the product of the Labour Party or of the Federation of Labour. It referred to “capitalistic bosses and their mercenary agents.” “I hope that has not the authority of the Labour Party,” Mr. Hargest added, "but that is the type of stuff being passed round. I take the word of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, that the Labour Party has nothing to do with: it.” Defence Efficiency. Referring to defence, Mr. Hargest said there were very serious issues at stake, and the time had come when there niust be a forward step in defence preparations. He challenged the statement that more was being - spent on defence now than at any time outside the war years. In 1928 the expenditure had been £1,220,000, and the year before last it was £1,102,000. The Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones: It has become nearly £1,750,000 since.

Mr. Hargest: I am prepared to accept the statement that the Increase in expenditure is higher this year. But it is not only a question of spending money. It is a question of getting efficiency. Tlie Minister is inclined to look upon the machine as the most important asset in defence, but to-day New Zealand is deplorably short in the numbers of men in training.

Mr. Hargest said that of the 7400 territorials last year, only 3000-odd had gone into camp. That was not enough to maintain anything like an efficient force. New Zealand must have 15,000 or 16.000 men. If the country was worth defending the money necessary would have to be spent.

SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME

Request For Plebiscite

An inquiry whether the Government bitends to take a plebiscite of persons who are not members of industrial unions to ascertain their views on the proposed superannuation scheme was made by Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Opposition, Central Otago) in a question of which he gave notice in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Bodkin said he proposed to ask the Prime Minister whether he was aware that a plebiscite was being taken among members of industrial unions on the proposed superannuation scheme, and if it was intended to take similar action to ascertain tlie views of farmers, business men and others who were not members of industrial unions.

Mr. Bodkin said be had a copy of a questionnaire issued by a Labour secretary in Dunedin addressed to the members of an industrial union and asking for views and recommendations regarding the superannuation and health scheme.

WATERFRONT WORK Labour Member Blames Employers An assertion that the trouble on the waterfront in New Zealand was due to friction unused by Hie employers was made by Mr. A. Campbell ( Government. Chalmers), speaking in the debate on the Address-in-Reply in the House of Representatives yesterday. "The sooner the shipowners start to work in cooperation with the watersiders. the better fhev will get the work done.

Mr Campbell said ho hud noticed an interview in “The Dominion” a few days ago with Sir William Hunt: Wellington. who had recently returned from a visit to Australia. Sir William had complained about conditions on the waterfront in New Zealand as compared with those in Australia. "Aus'ralia works the clock round," said Mi. Campbell "Now Zealand is civilised. Wo work hours to enable the men Io stand up to the job. Sir 'William Hunt may know something about Ids own game, hut when lie starts to dabble in something about which lie knows nothing he is like a cow with a musket.”