Intrusion Charge

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 November 1931, Page 6

Intrusion Charge

SIB JAMES PABB. A SPIRITED ATTACK. ELTHAM, Nov. 21. Sir James Pair’s utterances in connection with Captain Eushwoxth’s candidature for the Bay of Islands seat were roundly criticised by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, Independent candidate for Egmont, at Manaia last evening. Sir J ames Parr was reported to have said, stated Mr. Wilkinson, that Captain Rushworth was the whole Country party, its captain, lieutenant, sergeant, and, in fact, the whole company, and he ventured to predict that when the numbers went up Captain Rushworth might not even be a private. Mr. Wilkinson stated that it was especially improper for a newly-ap-pointed member or any other member of the Legislative Council to take an active part in controversial politics. If it was to be a practice in future for members of the Legislative Council to take the platform in support of the party that appointed them to their positions, then it was going too far altogether, and the only course would be to advocate a total abolition of the Upper House. Mr. Wilkinson also spoke very strongly in connection with the wheat and flour duties, which he said imposed enormous burdens upon the people by unduly increasing the prices of bread, flour and wheat. He also stated that when the voting took place in the House in connection with the abolition of these duties every single member of the United and Reform parties voted against the proposal, notwithstanding that many had pledged themselves prior to last election to abolish the duties. When further amendments were moved to reduce the duty on wheat and flour every United member voted against • any reduction being made. Five members of the Reform party and 11 members of the Labour party, however, voted for the reductions, the Independents in all cases voting against the duties and for the reductions.