"SCANDALS"

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 99, 28 April 1937, Page 13

"SCANDALS"

LABOUR REPLY

JAMMING OF IZB

ETHICAL STANDARDS

The references made to the Government by Mr. O. C. Mazengarb at a meeting of the National Party drew a reply from Mr. J. A. Lee. Undersecretary to the Minister of Finance, yesterday. Mr. Mazengarb, he said, was reported to have said, "A few more political scandals like the housing contracts and the Scrimgeour appointment and they (meaning the Labour Government will be definitely 'on the run.'"

"I want to know whether Mr. Mazengarb will issue a categorical statement til the housing 'scandals,'" said Mr. Lee. "I am curious to know what is moant, and I doubt if Mr. Mazengarb appreciates what is meant. Quite a lengthy questionnaire appears to have emanated from the meeting, which was evidently in a mood of hatred against the Labour Party. While Mr. Mazengarb is busy outlining the political 'scandals' that have been perpetrated by my Department, we might as well ask him for a little information concerning the Reform Party 'scandals.1 . ■. ■ . "How reliable was Mr. W. A. Bodkin, Nationalist M.P. for Otago Central, and his friends, including the Press, when they said that if the people voted Labour at the last General Election they would lose their, savings bank deposits? Savings bank deposits have increased.'ls it not a 'scandal' that Mr. Mazengarb and his friends have not apologised to the Labour < Party for what was obviously untrue? '

"Since'the National Party is in a questioning mood about radio, and is concerned about the 'powers behind the scene,' perhaps it will answer this question:—Will the party .state whether the Leader of the National Party, who stated that a radio set installed at Newmarket, Auckland, prior to the last General Election, for the purpose of jamming IZB, had been installed for the purpose of stepping up a-Rugby Union football broadcast reception from Brown's Bay, was stating an untruth under instructions, from an unseen influence or merely being untrue because he felt thnt way? Will Mr. Mazengarb and Mr. Bodkin state whether in their, opinion it was a 'scandal' to privately jam IZB, and if they justified that action will they say that the'-circumstances warranted the untruth? Will Mr. Mazengarb and Mr. Bodkin state whether it was not subsequently admitted that the station was jammed on the instructions of the then Postmaster-General (the Hon. Adam Hamilton)? .

"The National Party asks a question as to what ethical standards weighed with the Labour Party, but will Messrs. Bodkin and Mazengafb tell us what ethical standards, if any, weighed with the National Party on the eve of the last General ' Election? The question of commissioner control appears to be exercising the concern of the National Party, but will Messrs. Mazengarb and Bodkin state to what extent the commissioner was consulted in connection '. with the establishment of a staff to jaml a licensed radio service?

"My curiosity is not second, to that of. Mr! Bodkin and Mr.:Mazengarb," concluded Mr. Lee, "aiid I have- - been waiting ;an answer' to these questions for nearly 18 months. When these are replied to I will be delighted to furnish some more." .'■■■;