THE SUBSIDY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1934, Page 3

THE SUBSIDY

MR. SEMPLE'S CHARGES

REPLY BY MR. STUART

A reply to criticism from the Opposition, relating to the use of unemployment subsidies was made by Mr. A. Stuart (Government, Eangitikei) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Mr. Stuart referred to remarks made in connection with Mr. T. A. Duncan, who, he said, had assisted many persons on to farms. . The member for Wellington East (Mr. It. Scmple) had "missed the bus" in his criticism. Mr. Stuart said that Mr. Duncan had financed a certain individual, but Mr. Duncan had no mortgage on the property. The sons of the man who had received assistance from Mr. Duncan had not shown ability to run the place. Their father was getting old, and when times became bad Mr. Duncan thought that he had a moral obligation to the mortgagee, and took over the place. The Unemployment Board had made an appeal for more unemployed persons to be employed on the land, and Mr. Duncan had-employed up to about 110 men. Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour, Auckland Central):. He ' got a subsidy, then? Mr. Stuart: I am not denying ho got a subsidy. > He said that Mr. Duncan had to pay overhead charges and buy certain material If things turned out all right, the property would still belong to tho man who had originally owned it,' as it was still in his name. Mr. Stuart characterised Mr. Semplc's remarks as most cowardly. Mr. Speaker: That word is very much out of order. ■Mr., Stuart withdrew the remark. Mr. Semple: I will meet the honourable gentleman in his constituency at any time. Mr. Stuart said that it was a great pity that the Standing Orders allowed a member to mako remarks about a man who did not havo> an opportunity of defending himself. Mr. J. A. Lee (Labour, Grey Lynn): What, discussing' the expendituro of public money? Mr. Semple: Taking the pennies from the poor.On the motion of Mr. G. B. Sykes (Government, Mastcrton) Mr. Stuart's lime was extended. Mr. Semple: Hear, hear; ho is hanging himself, and the Government, too. Mr. Stuart said that he did not intend to stick up for any wealthy man, but he wanted to see fairness and justice-. ■ Mr. E. J. Howard (Labour, Christchurch South), the next speaker, accused Mr. Stuart of talking just for publication. The effect of his speech was that he had said that what Mr. Semple had said was true.