SHOULD BE STOPPED

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 25, 29 July 1936, Page 13

SHOULD BE STOPPED

DAMAGING ARTICLES

OVERSEAS CONSUMPTION

A CASE IN POINT

Statements published abroad which) have a damaging effect'On New Zea-i land's reputation and the integrity of Ministers of the Crown were roundly condemned by the Minister of Finance (the- Hon. W. Nash) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, when replying to the debate on the second reading of the Finance Bill, j By way of interjection, the Leader I of the Opposition (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) expressed complete agreement with the Minister. Such statements, said Mr. Forbes, were quite wrong. The Minister referred particularly to an article written for the "Sydney Morning Herald" by Mr. Hugh C. Jenkins, in which Mr. Jenkins stated: There is no need to blink at the fact that the State Advances Corporation Act opens the way for widespread corruption. The writer of the article, said Mr. Nash, was a supporter of the late Government. Mr. Forbes: He didn't support us, he supported the Democrats. Mr. Nash: And he was very helpful to the banks. Mr. Forbes: I have never suggested for one instant that there is any opening for corruption. Mr. Nash: I am glad to get that statement. Articles from this country that refer to the possibility of widespread corruption are very damaging. Mr. J. Thorn (Government, Thames): Can't he be proceeded against for sedition? Mr. Nash: Not under this Government. He might have been under the late Government. The writer of the article also referred to the appointment of auditors. He suggested that there would be some arrangement between the Minister and the auditors. I am suggesting that some steps should be taken to stop that type of article being written for overseas consumption. Mr. Forbes: Yes, it is quite wrong. Mr. Nash: I am more than pleased to get that from the Leader of the Opposition.