PARTY CONTRIBUTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 19352, 11 September 1926, Page 5

PARTY CONTRIBUTIONS

»*IS THERE A QUID PRO QUO?” NATIONALIST LEADER'S QUESTION STRONG RESENTMENT BY PREMIER “WE HAVE CLEAN HANDS.” [From Our Parluieentarv Reporter] WELLINGTON, September 10. . The final stages of the Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill saw a revival of tho controversy in which the member for Waitemata had been involved with his party, and, incidental to the discussion, arose a suggestion against the Government, which tho Prime Minister regarded as even more serious. Mr Forbes, Leader of the Nationalist Party, in traversing questions which led to tho criticism of Mr Harris, remarked: “Wo have to remember that .the Reform Government is under close observation at the present time, as we know that they wont into the election with an abundance of money _ for the purpose of tho campaign, and it is our duty to watch very closely during this Parliament whether there is going to be a quid pro quo.” The Prime Minister spoke appreciatively of a speech by Mr Fraser, who had described Mr Harris's allegations as preposterous, hut bo went on that the Leader of the Nationalists Party was by no means generous. Mr Forbes had insinuated certain things which demanded a refutation. First or all he had said that, on account of huge funds having been subscribed by people in the country to fight the election, the Government had to be watched very carefully. Mr Forbes: Yes. on several occasions. , , , , , Mr Coates said that that statement was linked up very closely with what Mr Harris had insinuated, Mr I'cubes had imputed that tho Government was going to toward tlioso who mndo con- ; tributions to its fighting funds from; outside. , , Mr Forbes: 1 believe they do. Mr Coates: The hon. gentleman believes this Government can be _ influenced by ’ money contributions. Does tho hon. gentleman believe that, Mr Forbes I believe that.

THE PROPER MANLY THING. Mr Coates: All I hayo to say is that the proper and manly spirit would be to get up and make a charge without having these stupid round-about statements, which intimate a sort of sly slander. If the honorable gentleman believes that, ho should make his charge. Mr Forbes: 1 have said it on the public platform. . Mr Coates: All 1 can say is that the hon. gentleman must be judging; others as he thinks himself. If this is what he would do, I am sorry for him. 1 resent it, and resent it keenly, and say to this House that ever since I have had anything to do with public allairs I have had absolutely clean hands, and have never been influenced by a supporter or anyone else. In fact, I have been taken to task by some of my best supporters, because they say I should, have taken notice of what they have said. , . Mr Forbes: Ido not make a personal charge. . Mr Coates: It applies to the Government. . Mr Forbes: The Government is influenced by outside interests. Mr Coates “It is no use making these statements unless you can prove them.” He said ho resented any honorable gentleman thinking that it was possible to influence the Groyeinnient or anyone on that side of the House by

money. , , , Mr Sullivan: Publish your balancesheet. . , The' Hon. W. Nosworthy : You can publish yours. Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) to the Prim© Minister: You say that side of the House. Don’t you apply it to this side of the House, too? ■ , ~ ■ Mr Coates; I was talking to the member for Hurunui direct, and to him only, because of his demands, i have not talked to the honorable gentleman. The hon. gentleman is getting quite touchy. I don’t know why ho should be so. (Laughter.) . , The Leader of the Opposition interjected that Mr Forbes’s statement was not so serious as that made by Mr Harris. , ~ After saying that what Mr borbes had said deserved contempt, Mr Coates said that the question regarding the member for Waitemata and his party had been dealt with, and dealt with probably too much. The member lor Waitemata knew where the Government stood, and it was for him to consider where he stood. “We ask,” said Mr Coates, “lor no support from anyone who cannot freely support us because ho considers we are not honest. That is quite clcaiThe Government, however, did not hud any fault with any member of the Reform Party who put up a good fight for his owu district. MR FORBES EXPLAINS. .Mr Forbes said that the Prime Minister had not put the position correctly. What the speaker had said was that, owing to the fact that the Reform Party had received very large contributions to its party funds, presumably from commercial interests, it was very necessary for those opposed to the Gorernmeut to scrutinise very carefully vhat was done, in order to see that no outside influence was brought to bear on the Government to give effect to what those outside interests might desire against the interests of the people. A position had arisen in regard to these large contributions which required most careful watching. That was the case more particularly with this Government, than with any other that had sat on the Treasury benches. Mr Coates: What does ho call large contributions?

Mr Forbes replied that he meant the enormous sums of money given to the party for campaigning funds, an expenditure that was unparalleled in the history of any political party. Those interests making the contributions were bound to come along to ask for concessions. Sir Maui Pomare: What interests? Mr Forbes did not reply, and the discussion ended.