WINTER UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20019, 9 November 1928, Page 10

WINTER UNEMPLOYMENT

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S PROPHECY

THE PREMIER’S COMMENT

ISrscur. to rue: ‘Stas.'l

WELLINGTON, November 8,

‘‘Ho must have boon ill,” ‘‘Extravagant and outrageous,” wore terms used by the Prime Minister in describing Sir Joseph Ward’s Christchurch prediction about the unemployment situation next winter if the Government remains in power. Mr Coates said that all sections of the community respected the right honourable gentleman, but to-day Sir Joseph Ward was the leader of a party, and must take lull responsibility for his utterances. Sir Joseph Yard had said that next winter, it the Government stayed in office, there would he between jO.OOG and id,DUO unemployed. (“ Hear, hear,” and applause.) ‘‘There is a section of this huge audience,” continued Mr Coates, who want to see unemployment, and they seem to bo happy about it. May 1 say that a statement of that kind from a responsible man seems to me to be extravagant and outrageous. Of all Iho dismal outlooks and expressions of the future that had been uttered in this country, it is possibly Iho most, detrimental that has been made. ISo man with any sense of responsibility, and who ought to know the position, could oossiblv make an utterance of that kind, unless that right honourable gentleman is suffering from some illness. I attribute it to the hon. gentleman’s health, because I consider it one of the most flagrant cases of extravagance that has been uttered as long ns I can remember.” A Woman's Voice: Yon did not mind him voting with you in fhc House.