POLITICAL DENIALS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1929, Page 2

POLITICAL DENIALS

REPLY PRODUCED. THE VAILE LETTER. WHAT THE FILES REVEALED. (Lyttelton Times correspondent). WELLINGTON, July 25. Galleries were crowcicd and there was an expectant hush in the House of Representatives to-night, when the Minister of Justice, the Hon T. M. Wilford., proceeded to show that, .despite the denials of the Leader of the Opposition, Air Coates, a reply had been sent to Air E. E. Vaile in connection with the Taupo railway. Speaking in a slow, impressive manner, Mr Wilford said he would read both Mr Vaile’s letter and Air Coates’s reply, so as to put them both on record in one speech. Air Wilford said that, in his speech to-night, the member for Wellington Suburbs, M Wright, had challenged the Prime Minister to produce a reply written by Air Ccates to Air Vaile. Air Wilford said he would do that, The Leader of the Opposition had stated in the House that ,he had not sent a reply. He had said it was not true he had replied. The Prime Minister had said it was true that Air Coates replied,-because he (Sir Joseph) knew the reply was on the file. The Leader of the Opposition then said: “1 never wrote a repy to that letter.” NOTES. BY AIR COATES.

“Not only shall I read the letter which he wrote in reply—it was next to Air Vaile’s letter on the file—but also the notes the Leader of the Opposition made., Not only the jjeader of the Opposition answer with a letter, but he answered with a telegram first; indeed,, he answered twice.

Air Coates: What date j 1 Air Wilford: Vour letter is dated 11 something 27; 1 cannot see just what is written on it. Jn the handwriting of the Leader of the Opposition is the note:. “Acknowledged by telegram. Letter promised.” These is also a note to Mr FurjVett: “Can you suggest a reply?” (Loud Laughter.) • There is a reply to this note, whether suggested by Air Furkert or designed by the Leader of the Opposition I don’t know, but-there it is. A Government member. He said he never wrote a reply. Air Wilford (dramatical!}’): I know he did.

EX-PRIAIE MINISTER’S REPLY. Mr Wilford then read the letter written by Air Vaile to Air Coates, complainng that there was nothing on the estimates for the Taupo railway. (This letter was published in Wednesday’s issue.) Air Coates’s letter, as read, was as follows:

“December, 1927,

“Dear Sir, —-With reference to your letter of the 25th ultimo concerning the fact that there is nothing on the estimates for the railway to Taupo, I uo not recollect having made a promise that money would be available this year. My recollection of the matter is that this railway would be given consideration when the .Government’s hand’s which were then very full with other works, were a little freer. While no doubt, it is disappointing to you that your expectations for this year were not fulfiled, I do not think that there is warrant for the extreme pessimism which you expressed, and I trust that you will not, regard the' unavoidable delay that has taken place as an indication that all hopes should be abandoned. I think you must agree with the majority of New Zealanders in the belief that the Government would be wise to endeavour to reduce its annual borrowing in some extent, and this it can do" by refraining from entering on new large works until some of them already on hand are completed. - “Yours faithfully, “Prime Minister.”

Mr Samuel called at the finish of the reading of the letter, “A splendid letter.” Mr Wilford: That is the Leader of the Opposition’s reply, and when I’ve finished my speech, knowing the right lion gentlemen as I do, I believe he will stand up and say he did the Prime Minister an injustice, a serious injustice, when he gave a flat contradiction to the statement that lie had written a reply. 'Mr Coates (quietly): Did the letter go out? Mr Wilford: I haven’t got the envelope. (Laughter). Mr Coates : Was the letter sent ? Mr Wilford: I haven’t seen the envelope nor am I the boy who posted it. (Laughter). Can the right lion gentleman say he never replied? He did send a telegram and he initialled his memo. Is not the telegram a reply? And in that telegram he stated he would write. Mr Coates: Where is the telegram ? At this interesting moment Mr Speaker announced the supper adjournment and swept out of the House, which buzzed with excited chatter. Half an hour later, when the Minister of Justice resumed his speech, the Opposition leader was not in the House, so Mr Wilford remarked that he would deal with a question affecting another member. He did not