BRISK INTERLUDE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 March 1935, Page 7

BRISK INTERLUDE

MR COATES v. MR POLSON ;• *1 ; ■; V•; ; , ■ .. \' 'M V " . SPIRITED ATTACK MADE CHARGE OF INCONSISTENCY A brisk interlude was provided during the protracted debate on the Mortgage Corporation of New Zealand Bill in .the House of . Representatives last evening when the Minister of Finance, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, made a spirit--ed political attack on Mr W. J. Poison . (Government, Stratford) for his attitude toward the Bill.

Imediately after Mr Poison had expressed objection to the cause; conferring certain rating exemptions on the corporations, Mr Coates rose and asked: “Is the meber for Stratford oposed to the Bill?”

Mr Poison: In its present form. 'Mr Coates: He voted in a flimsy way for the second reading, but on almost every division since he has voted against the various clauses. It is no good for him to play fast and loose like that. He has taken every opportunity in the House and .outside to prevent the Bill going through, and yet he pretends to be a friend. It is a peculiar attitude. He says the ratepayers will be worse off because of this clause. That is not correct. This clause leaves the position as it is now, in spite of everything that has been said. As a matter of strict fact the position is, as I figure it out, that in five years all the mortgages transferred to the corporation, rural or urban, will be paying rates. The courts have distinctly stated that the Crown is not liable for rates.

Mr Poison: I say the Crown is morally responsible for rates; it should recognise that fact, and it should do so here and now.

“CRYING FROM HOUSETOPS’' Mr Coates: It suits you politically to say that. You run like a hare, this way and that, all round the mulberry bush. As soon as there is a change of wind you are off in another direction. You have done all you can to prevent the government getting this Bill through, and if the Bill is a success, as we hope it will be, you will be crying from the house-tops: ‘That’s something I helped to <lo, anyway.’ ” -

Mr Poison: You must not judge me by your own standards. Mr Coates:. If I did you would not stand up. Mr Poison: I will stand up to you. Mr Coates: You wilt every time.

Mr Poison: I challenge you Mr Coates: You have challenged me on nearly every platform already. Mr A. S. Richards (Labour, Roskill): He will still be welcome at the caucus.

Mr Coates: Personally, X think he is an awfully nice man, but he has not lost any opportunity to make it difficult for the Government to pass this Bill.

Mr Poison: I am against the principle of the Bill.

Mr Coaes: You voted for the second reading, showing that you approved the principle. Mr Poison: I made my position about that clear.

Mr A. M. Samuel (Ind., Thames 1: Is this a private fight or can anyone join in? (Loud laughter?. Mr Coates: I just want to say I am amazed at the member for Stratford, He wants us to take his advice, and yet he opposes us at every step.

MR POLSON’S REPLY

‘•The Minister has made a violent attack on me,” said Mr Poison. ‘He says that I have been inconsistent because I voted for the second reading and then opposed many of the clauses in committee. I stated some time ago that I would oppose certain clauses in the Bill, hut would not deny it a second reading in order that I might be able to assist in introducing certain amendments. That was not possible, however, because the Minister drove the clauses through, dosjnte the fact that many members, including Government members, were definitely opposed to some of them. 1 have played the game with the Government over this Bill. I went to the Prime Minister before the Bill was introduced, and told him that i could not support the principle of shareholder control. I also made the position perfectly clear’ on another occasion when the Minister of Finance was present. Nevertheless, knowning that I had certain convictions and was standing by them, he has made this attack intending to mislead the House and the people.."' ‘‘l am doing what I consider my duty to the farmers and the people 1 represent/’ added Mr Poison. “J have taken my stand, and I am surprised at the statements made by the Minister to-night.” I’ARABLE OF A PARROT

Mil Samuel said lie thought the Minister had been “a bit rough” on Mr Poison, although the member for Stratford was quite capable of look ing after himself. The Minister’s statements had not been altogether fair, because members had every right to vote for a second reading while retaining the hope or securing useful amendments in the committee stage. “I remember,” added Mr Samuel, ‘‘when I was on the River Plate, seeing a parrot looking in a glass and calling himself a liar.” The Chairman: What is the suggestion? Mr Samuel: The only suggestion A is that It was extremely funny. But, of course, the parrot didn’t know. The Chaifhaiin afeked Jlf SdfiiUel t<? keep to. the olause uhder diecustroii and ii-it refer to the statements of the Emitter of Mr P i qlsch :, 3 reply.