THE REFORM AMENDMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 30 August 1929, Page 9

THE REFORM AMENDMENT.

IN DEPENDENT MEMBER’S OPINION.

(By Telegraph—Special to the Star.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 29. The Independent member for Egmonti (Mr C. A. Wilkinson) told tlie Leader of the Opposition in the House that he could not be complimented on his Budget amendment. However, the Prime Minister deserved a compliment. for bringing down a Budget which most people could understand. As for the Reform amendment, continued Mr Wilkinson, ho thought Mr Coates committed an error of judgment in moving a motion covering so much ground. While it might have been possible for individual members outside the Government Party to have supported some o” ills suggestions, it was not possible, for any of them to support the amendment as a whole. “It was not quite a fair thing,” he added._ “to condemn the Budget out of hand in that way. It would have been far better to have made a specific ease instead of taking a general objection . ’ ’

Mi- W. J. Poison (Independent member for Stratford): It was not intended.

Mr Wilkinson: It demonstrated that outside the ranks of the Reform Party that no member could support them, and it left them isolated' in the House and showed their weakness to the country. That was because of the way in which the amendment was framed.

Mi* Coates: We are glad to have even that apology*.