MR POISON’S FIGURES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 29 May 1928, Page 5

MR POISON’S FIGURES.

CRITICISED 1 BY.'FINANCE ‘*7* minister;"

REPLY TO REGENT---STATEMENTS,

(BY V El, EG RA PH WESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON; May 28; “Mr Poison is the most irresponsible and reckless controversialist in ithe Dominion, ” said the Hon.- W, Downie; Stewart, Minister of Finance,-when interviewed before .leaving for the south , to-night. “It is clear that he is- still ! smarting from the fact' that' last year his erroneous interpretation of the trade figures in their- bearing' on.-the public finances was exposed, and. refu|ed. ~. : - ‘‘ Mr Poison ’s .recent speeches' are 'OM attempt to rehabilitate himself, continued the Minister, -«M?but in each successive speech he' ; cpntinually. r .eh34J®es his own figures. It is 'interesting- to.'note t'hpt even when he quotes the bor.-. rowing for the last seven years he faiM- 1 to point out that'tHe : £5,700;000"' I bf the loans was for • State* advances; which cost the taxpayer nothing.,,-, Considering ■ that many millions 'have been .raised to - - help the farmers' in their difficulties/Mr Poison 'might have stated--whether'he disapproved hf . that aspect of our -borrowing. ........ :,- • “At a latter date I inay'deal more fully with the innumerable ' ifellaeies(hat Mr Poison keeps reiterating) ,but it. would save time if he would-pin. himself down to -something definite- that he riw prepared to'stand or'fall'iby if the argument is to lie pf any value to the public.” •' ' : ■'-- ’ "p-v .