"IT IS A LIE"

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 26, 1 February 1933, Page 5

"IT IS A LIE"

'A MYSTERIOUS GRAPH

CIRCULATED IN HOUSE

.WAGE INDEX CHALLENGED

The origin of a graph which it was stated had been prepared from figures published by the Government Statistician's Office, and which was circulated among members of Parliament, created an air of mystery in the House of Eepreseiitatives last evening. ■> The effect was heightened when Mr. E. J. Howard (Labour, Christchurch South)- declared that the information in the graph was wrong. "It is a lie; I say that, and I repeat it, it is a He," declared Mr. Howard. The graph had arrived by post, and had been freely quoted by the Minister of Lands (the Hon. *E. A. Hansom) in his speech. It purported to give information relating to farm costs and realisations. Holding up the graph, Mr. Howard asked whether it was a Government publication. Minister of Lands: No. . "GOVERNMENT WATERMARK." "Well, look here," said Mr. Howard, holding it up to the light, "it's got the Government watermark in the paper; They apparently went to extraordinary trouble to put something before members 'of Parliament and were too ashamed to put their names to it.?' -" Mrl Kansom: Not at all. '■..< - \ Mr. Howard: How" does the Minister know? He knows who did it. He knows who faked the wages line. The graph, states; that wages to-day are 440 points above the 1914 level, and .yet 74,0*00 workers are receiving on an average 30s'per week. . The. Hon. A. D. McLepd (Government, "Wairarapa): It does not make the slightest difference. ■ Mr. Howard: It is a lie. Is there any other word- that I am permitted to use in the House? Mr. Eansom: The figures are the Gov-, ernment Statistician's. . Mr. Howard: I don't care whose they are. If the Government Statistician says it, he is a liar. This graph is not true, and yet it was-issued by someone for the purpose of influencing1 members of the House. • '..-... ; • Mr. McLeod: The graph is' copied from the Government Statistician's figures.' '■■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Mr. Howard: It is hot the position of the workers to-day; neither is it the position of the farmers to-day. . Mr. McLeod: It is, unfortunately. Mr. Howard: It is not true to say that thfi workers are 440 .points above 1914. There has never been a more dastardly thing sent. into this House. It is a lie. I cannot say anything .more than that. 'Mr. Eansom: Does it not refer to the wages of farm workers? Mr. Howard: If. it applies only to farm labourers, it Is k greater lie. The farmers are not paying their labourers wages tq-day. They are getting labour the' Unemployment Board. Mr. A. Stuart (Government, Bangi■tikei): 2sF6t'in all cases. ' Mr. Howard: I dare say that there are some exceptions I do not know 'Of. ;j ■' • .'■■-. ■'" ".. ■• - Mr. -F.: Langstone (Labour, [Waimarino) said that the graph contained'information which had not been prepared for members, but for "Wright, Stephenson's, to try to influence the mindt of .Parliament. ; '. : .1 .■■ ."• FARMERS' EXCHANGE ■;.-, COMMITTEE. At a later stage Mr. MeLeod refer-, .red to the criticism made by the .mem-: : b.er for Christchurch;. South" against the graph,'and said he noticed that Mr. Howard ,was absent. "I would have been inclined to hit harder had he been present," he said. Labour members: Go on. . i ■ "I can't allow, to go unchallenged incorrect statements, he made concerning this document," he said, waving the graph. "It was'prepared .by the Tanners' Exchange Committee." Mr. IV Langstone (Labour, Waimalino): Wright, Stephenson's—"W. D. Hunt. ■ Mr. McLeod said that the committee comprised representatives from the Meat Board, Dairy Board, and Farmers' Union, and they had a perfect right to place .the-graph before members of the House. ; Mr. W. Nash .(Labour,. Hutt): Why did they not'put their name, to it?" Mr. McLeod: I am not in a position to answer that question. . The figures in the graph, said Mr. McLeod, were an exact replica of the Government Statistician's table, and if it were, said that- the figures were • attempting to mislead the people, then the Government.Statistician"was doing it. ■At this stage IMr. Speaker inquired as to the'nature- of the: document, remarking that if it was intended to influence members it must not be quoted. ....... , , Mr. McLeod:'Am I not in my right in quoting from the Government Statistician's figures? : ■ ■ Mr. Speaker: If the hqn. gentleman is satisfied that it is nothing but that. . . , ■ • ■.•:■ . Mr. McLeod. said it set out the various groups of workers. Mr. Langstone: Not the relief workers. , '.'.- ": Mr. McLepd: No: they might, as well '. have included the farmers where their • farriis went out of production. ' I • He was- sorry to say that only a small■ ■ percentage ■of the unemployed were 1 .'engaged on' real productive work. •; '.:' Labour members: Let the hon. gen- .' tleman ask his own Government that j question. ■ ,