“TOO ABSURD!”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10733, 2 November 1928, Page 5

“TOO ABSURD!”

PREMIER DEALS WITH MR HOLLAND

“WS™ FAM '

LABOR CIVIL SERVICE “PRIBE” RIDICULED,

coraTi g, ?ssr DBAIj

(Press Association.) PUKENOHE, Nov. 1. Tho Prime Minister addressed a capacity house at the Strand l hoatn •Pukekohe, to-night, on similar line* to hig previous speeches, except, that ho directed a little attention to Mi Holland’s speech m Auckland roly tivo'/to the increased family allowalMr Holland, said tho. Premier, had credited him with saying that the Government intended, to make an allowance of £250,000 annual v. Mr Holland had pusrepresented tho position. mat ho did say was that the estimated cost ,of tho family allowance would ultimately range from £IOO,OOO-to £250,000. and tho increases would :ho made as soon as tho country Was in a position to stand; it.’ • , ~ Mm Holland’s references to tho lest,oration of tho 1021 cut were made hy tho leader of a party which ".as putting itself up to the highest bidder, and which was going to pay ter it with the country’s money, and. I ’.' a party which had no responsibility. Tbo position was that since the cut was made, a process of re-grading and ‘ re-classification ■ot pubuo sci vante had taken place'"and it would bo 'extremely difficult to restore the “cut ” How this could ho done Mr Holland only could say. As soon as the country was in a position tnp Government would consider the matter, and give benefits if possible. _ In reference to Mr 'Sterling, Mi Coates said that while Mr Holland criticised tho salary and the superannuation, lie did not say,-where be. could get someone better to manage tho railways, Tho speaker believed Mr- Sterling would make • good, because! ho had the co-operation of the railway servants, and was striving to obtain the co-operation of the publie ' The Premier described Mr Holland’s reference as to no order or method :in the running of Parliament as ridiculous and too' absurd for words.' “What' would he suggests Eight hours! a'day?” asked Mr Coates. Parliament was conducted w‘oll, and he believed that the majority of the members agreed that such was the case. Last session more work had been done in less time than usual. Ho declared that Mr Holland had received better treatment from him thdn any_ other leader'of tho Opposition ever had. Mr Holland asserted that the Government had tricked the people over the Licensing Bill. Mr Coates eavo ' tills can emphatic denial* considered that the country had had a square deal, a'pd ..people knew it. The leader of tlie N.Z, Alliance had confirmed this. . . , Relative to the printing of the ballot papors Mr Holland had been assured that nothing but local restoration papers had been printed, and not those dealing with the main issue. “Despite documentary evidence to this effect" and assurances, why does he continue to make such statements?” asked the Premier. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was passed, and Mr Coa’tes was cheered at the conclusion of the meeting.