NO COLLUSION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 8, 9 July 1931, Page 10

NO COLLUSION

FRAMING OF A BILL

REFORM AND GOVERNMENT

A denial that any members of the Beform Party had had a hand in the framing of tho Unemployment Amendment Bill was given in tho Hbuso of Bepresentatives yesterday afternoon by the Leader of the Opposition (the Bight Hon. J. G. Coates), who said that insinuations had been made by members of tho Labour Party that ho had been consulted on the measure.

"I give that insinuation my absolute denial," said Mr. Coates. "At least one Minister of tho Crown has stated definitely that tho Reform Party had no part in tho drafting of the Bill. When the hon. member for Auckland Central was speaking I conveyed that reply." Mr.' P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central): "Does tho right hon. gentlemen "

Tho Chairman of Committees (Mr. W. A. Bodkin): "Order." Mr. Coates: "An interjection mado by mc which appeared in various newspapers in this country makes it appear entirely contrary to what I actually said. That is tho business of the newspapers, and not my business. My answer was quite clear that I preferred the abolition of tho levy." Mr. Coates said that in reply to an interjection made by the Leader of the Labour Party he had said that the hoti. member was short of knowledge. "On that occasion tho honourable gentleman was out after information, and my reply was definite," stated Mr. Coates. Mr. Holland: "I had information." Mr. Fraser: "Had the right hon. gentleman not seen the Bill before it was introduced in the House?" Mr. Coates: "I did not see it on any occasion. I had a rough idea about it. I did not see the Bill bofore tho hon. gentleman not seen the Bill before it was not printed. The Bill was never discussed with me.'' Mr. Fraser: "Certain points were submitted to you?" Mr. J. M'Combs suggested that Mr. Coate3 submitted the proposals. Mr. Coates: "As far as I and the members on this side of the House are concerned, we had no part in the con-i sideration of this Bill. I hope that this will put the position clearly." -. GRATEFUL FOR A CRUMB. Mr. Fraser said ho could not understand the perturbation of Mr. Coates at the question as to whether he was consulted by the Government. Mr. Coates: "I was not." Mr. Fraser observed that when Mr. Coates had thrown back, almost contemptuously, the fusion offer of tho Prime Minister, he had intimated his willingness to draft the Government's legislation if tho latter so desired. (Laughter.) Why, then, asked Mr. Fraser, should the Beform Leader feel angry when it was suggested that his offer had been accepted? Surely, when tho Prime Minister, in the spirit of amiability, friendship, and comradeship ho had always shown towards Mr. Coates, had- received the offer of cooperation, he had not treated it with contempt. "The Prime Minister," added Mr. Fraser, "was grateful to get even a crumb from tho rich man's table—a political Lazarus pleased to receive the crumbs from the rich man's tabic." (Laughter.) -The- Chairman of Committees: "Order! Order!" Mr. Fraser said the Opposition Leader had stated that he had a rough idea of what would bo in the Bill—Mr. Eraser thought it was a pretty definite idea—and no complaint could bo made against that. The Prime Minister had tlie right to consult any of the leaders in the House, and it was therefore hard to understand why Mr. Coates had shown any perturbation in tho matter at all. PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT. The Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. G. W. Forbes) said that both the Minister of Labour and himself had always welcomed any suggestions from members of tho House in regard to tho Bill, and he had had telegrams from members on all sides who wished to do their best. to give assistance. The Leader of the Opposition was quite correct in what he had said; no member outside tho Cabinet saw a copy of the Bill before it was introduced. In fact, the Bill had been discussed by Cabinet right up till the day of its introduction.