“Sops to Cerberus”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 245, 29 September 1922, Page 4

“Sops to Cerberus”

PRE ELECTION LEGISLATION. MASSEY REFUSES CHARGES. HANSARD A TWO-EDGED SWORD. (Special to “Tribune ”) Wellington, Sept. 28. A Government, in election year, is in a very awkward position. If it introduces popular legislation it runs e the risk ot being charged with electioneering, and it it does not produce legislation it may be claimed to be neglecting the needs of the people. Many times this session it has often suggested that there is more than an element of electioneering in bills which have come down. Such was the change made to-night by Mr. Sidey (Dunedin South) when the State Fire Insurance Bill, which provides for bonuses for policy-holders, was under consideration. “One of the reasons why you have this bill in its present form,” he told the House,” is that the election is not very far away.”, Mr. Sidey also quoted from an ancient volume of Hansard in support of his contention that the Prime Minister and party had opposed the original State Fire Insurance proposal. Mr. Massey: quote Hansard and I’ll quote Hansard, and we’ll see who comes off best. Mr. Sidey retorted that the Prime Minister was pretty wolf used now' to promoting things which, if he had had his way. would never have come into existence. When Mr. Massey’s opportunity to speak came he said either Mr. Sidey had a very had conscience or, else he was afraid of what was going to happen within the next two or three months. “Anything that is at all popular with the public,” he continued, “is claimed as electioneering. Electioneering was never thought of in connection with this bill. There is a gentleman at the head of the department who is recognised as possibly the best man south of the line on this subject, and it is on his recommendation that this bill is introduced.” Speaking of Hansard quotations Mr. Massey said the hon. member must spend a. lot of time reading speeches made by me many years ago. “I take it as a compliment. T hope they are doing the hon. member good, and T • believe they are. I can see an rm provement myself within the last fewweeks. but if we are talking of ancient history what about Government advances to workers? | moved the clause and; the hon. member voted against it.” \ Mr. Massey might well have added that all this simply went to prove that Hansard i>- a two-edged sword.