MINISTER'S EXPENSES

Grey River Argus, 31 October 1910, Page 2

M I N I STE R'S E X P EN S ES

SIR JOSEPH'S" COMPLAINT

(Our Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, 0ct. 28

Reference :was -made by Sir Joseph Ward to-night -to ,the return' of Ministers' travelling: expenses and allowances, 'which Mr Mzssey has asked for. This was regularly asked for by Mr Mass'ey quite in defiance of the usual practice of leaders .of th© Opposition in other countries.' The •extraprdinary thing abclut this return was that he asked for the return for six months. Mr Mas sey— When was that?. Sir Joseph Ward— l think it was last year. -„ ... Mr Massey— Oh, yes...', i Sir Joseph Ward — Tie object of -ih-e hon, gentleman is. to try to show that there was a large expenditure prior to , the general election. Sir Joseph pointed out that there was hardly a member who did not invite the Minister to go into their districts. The Opposition members took care not to pay any of the- expense them- . selves when they followed Ministers, but fastened it on .to the Minister. He. wanted to say what occurred in one piace in the north. :He had been there attending to a good deal of pub-; lie business in' the evening. When lie went on, the hire to take himself and those with 'him out of the place it was doubled. 1 When- his' secretary investigated the matter he was told it was a good opportunity of taking it out of the Government. ' Mr 'Massey: — That was not a" member of the House. ' Sir Joseph Ward — If was a supporter of a member of the House. I did' not' say it was a member. \ Mr Fraser — You inferred it.