REFORM MISGOVERNMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1930, Page 7

REFORM MISGOVERNMENT

In the Budget debate; the Hon. A. J. Stall worthy Minister of Healtih asked whether Air D. Jones (Alid-Can-tcrbqry) would admit that the Government had to meet the accumulated results of the Reform drift. His presious judgment was that the present difficulties were the accumulated reult of Reform misgovernment. Continuing, Air Stallworthy said Air Jones had suggested that- a raid should, be made on post office surpluses. Air Jones: A raid ?

Air Stallworthy: I am borrowing that word from the Reform party, who have used it several times this session. The Alinist-er added that Mr Jones had indicated that a useful way out of til© taxation, difficulties was to make a raid on the' post office reserves, but if last year’s accounts were scrutinised it would be found that a very small surplus was made, having regard to the large amount involved. He thought caution should be exercised regarding those reserves. He had grave misgivings that the time was not very far distant when reserves of the Department would be proved to be too small. A Voice : Another pessimistic prophecy.

The Minister said all knew the challenge which the road was offering to the rail, and he asked what was likely to happen to the Post and Telegraph Department when radio and audivision became perfected.

A member: The Government wil control it.

“When every man will carry not only receiving set but a transmitting set as he now carried a watch, what is going to happen to the monopoly which the Post and Telegraph Department now enjoys?” asked the Minister. “We can see that challenge coming. It would he a dangerous policy at a time like this to dissipate the reserves of the Post and Telegraph Department. I did except a better suggestion from the member for MidCanterbury.” COSTLY AMMUNITION CONTRACT. Proceeding, the Minister cited as one of the examples why the Government could not clean up everything in a day the j contract let by the Reform party for the supply of small arms ammunition for 15 years at £34,000 a year, with the payment of £15,000 compensation if the contract was not renewed at the end of the term. A Reform' Member: Why not? Mr Stallworthy: This is one of the results. "We have small arms ammunition in storage to the value of £400,000. A United Member: Good gracious! “And the contract,” said Mr Stallworthy, “has nine years to run, at £34,000 a year, with £15,000 compensation at the end of 15 years if the contract is not renewed. How is it possible for the Government to clean up things in 20 months? In other aspects of government we find these difficulties, and they have to he surmounted. Without wishing to suggest that anything improper was done, these thimrs are a serious reflection on the business acumen of the Reform party.” •