Party Leaders in Fighting Form

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 274, 20 November 1935, Page 5

Party Leaders in Fighting Form

Mr Hislop s Charges PRIME MINISTER’S SHARP RETORT. Per Press Association. GORE, Lust Night. Speaking at Bulclutka yesterday the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, made a sharp retort to tho references of the leader of the Democrat Party, Mr. T. 0. A. Hisiop, to the method of presenting public accounts with quotations from tho report of tho Auditor-General. Mr. Ilisiop made a statement about the accounts being grossly mismanaged, implying misappropriation, etc., said Mr. P’orbes. “Ho has picked out certain of the comments of the AuditorGenera), but does not mention an important paragraph in which the Auditor-General stated that he raised no objection whatever to the accounts themselves, tho transactions all being correct and properly audited, but he complained about tho form in which the accounts were presented.” Mr, Forbes said that this argument had been going on between the Auditor-General and the Treasury for a long time. The Auditor-General had said that tho way of presenting the accounts was not right and tho Treasury said it was in accordance with accountancy practico and with the way the British Treasury presented its accounts.' Mr. Hislop had merely picked out some of the comments of the Auditor-General and construed them as misappropriation and juggling of accounts, apparently trying to create tho impression that there was dishonesty in the matter. “In my 137 years in Parliament I do not know of ono single instance where a member has in any way brought himself under tho charge of using his position for personal advantage,” proceeded Mr. Forbes. “When Mr. Hislop comes forward as the champion of honesty and carefully omits the paragraph whero the Auditor-General says ho does not raise the question of the correctness of accounts he should also have presented tho full statement. 1 suppose lie felt it was political tactics. He’s a new man at tho- game, but I think as time goes on he’ll find there is a standard to live up to and when it is a question of impugning tho honesty of tho Government or a member of Parliament actual evidence is required as innuendoes recoil on tho men who mako them.”

Mr Hislop Comes Back EKETAHIJNA, Last Night. Bcfcrring to Sir Alfred Hansom's reply to liis statements regarding public accounts, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop said there was no need for him to magnify technical points into a public scandal, as Sir Alfred had stated. All he needed to do avus to quote the actual Avords and. opinions of the Auditor-General, fu his reports the Auditor-General had given a straightforward statement that ho avus not satislicd Avith the public accounts. In 193.1 the Auditor-General had draAvn attention to the unsatisfactory position in regard to tho methods •employed in accounting for expenditure from tho Native Land settlement account. It avus not until three years later that tho Avliolc of the Native Affairs scandal avus exposed. Eegurding tho £I4,UUU,UUU Avhich avus shoAvn in tho public accounts as cash but which Sir Alfred Hansom stated was represented by Jixed deposits or investments, this money avus uot cash uud could not be called cash by auy stretch of the imagination. If it had been invested in the funds of a department uud utilised by the department for its ordinary purposes there was no cash available, although there was an 1,0. U.

Thero wus no question but that there had been wliolcsalo bungling and juggling with the public accounts and the word of the Auditor-General wus reliable enough for most people. .Mr. Jlislop staled that he had asked Mr. Coates certain questions in regard to the gold that had been taken by the Government from the banks. Go far Mr. Coates had ignored the questions, but he asked them again as ho believed the people were entitled to answer. Mr. Hislop said ho believed it to be the intention of the Government to make this next Parliament a live-year Parliament. Mr. Coates had spoken strongly in favour of extended Parliamentary terms and the Government had persistently referred to the necessity for long-range planning and the fact that its policy proposals would take some time to be put into effect. Neither Mr. Forbes nor Mr. Coates had stated that they would not extend the life of Parliament. It would bo tragic for the country if they had to sull’or the present Government until .1940, and this was a possibility it the Nationalists were returned at the forthcoming election,

Industrial Developments MR COATES AT BLENHEIM Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, Last Night. The largest political gathering seen; in Blenheim for many years greeted j Mr Coates to-night, His Majesty’s Theatre being packed to overflowing. The Minister was accorded a quiet and attentive hearing with very few interjections. In fact the proceedings might almost be described as tame. Mr Coates, in the course of a speech here to-day, said important progressive moves have been mado by the Government in the direction of fr iitating private business expansion. Some nine months ago the Unemployment Board arranged, in eo-operation with the company holding the options, for a comprehensive survey of the Onakaka iron deposits, and an examination of the prospects of successfully establishing the steel industry in New Zealand. A favourable report was received from the consulting engineers, rvith

the suggestion that some assistance be given by the Government in the eariy years of tho undertaking. The report has now been presented, defining the terms under which assistance may bo given from the unemployment funds for the erection of plant and providing assistance duriug the early years. A detailed pronouncement would be made as soon as negotiations wore completed, but there was every prospect of establishing an industry which would provide direct employment for 1700 meu,

The Government, through the Unemployment Board and in other ways, was prepared to investigate other specific projects in the same way, with a view to assisting developmental aetiou through private enterprise. The unemployment figures have already teen reduced to about 40,01)0. The Government intended to invite responsible auu representative groups interested in industrial development to have associate members attached to the Unemployment Board. It was hoped, concluded Mr Coates, that local groups throughout New Zealand would provide valuable assistance in drawing attention to the possibilities of development and advising on local conditions.

At the conclusion a vote of thanks was carried on the voices.

At Havelock this afternoon, Mr Coates addressed a large and enthusiastic gathering from the steps of the Town Hall and was accorded cheers. The Minister leaves by air at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning and speaks at Palmerston North at 11, Hastings at 0, Havelock North 4.30 and Napier in the evening. “ Only One of You ! ” PINANCE MINISTER’S DECLARATION. NELSON, Last Night. A crowded theatre, with 100 loudspeaker listeners on the pavement outside, greeted Mr Coates at lunch time when he gave a political address iu the Theatre Royal. It was called at a lew hours' notice in lieu of the meeting he was prevented from holding last evening through the aeroplane in which no was travelling having to return to Wellington owing to bad weather over Cook Strait.

The speaker referred to the position facing the Government four years ago and traversed the legislation undertaken to deal with the situation. He then outlined the future policy of the Government. The large audience listened intently and there were no interruptions or interjections. At tho conclusion a vote of thanks to Mr (Joates and conlidence in the Government was carried unanimously.

The Mayor of .Nelson (Mr George Pago) said Mr Coates liud taken a big risk in attempting to cross Cook Strait iii the boisterous weather prevailing to keep faith with the kelson meeting, lie extended him a warm ■welcome to Nelson."

Thu world prices for our exports hud dropped, and unemployment numbered 10,5£5, the value of our exports dropped from £50,000,000 to, £05,000,000 said Mr Coates. Drastic measures were necessary and as the result of immediate action the deiicit was reduced to £.,,500,000. A crisis had been reached and the Government had an unpleasant task. The speaker explained that in 1051 the Government was faced witli an estimated deiicit of £8,000,000 and with the dairy farmers in financial difficulties the Government realised something hud to bo done to bridge-the gap between production costs and prices, it called on a committee from the report of which the Government chose what would be essential in the interests of the country.

When the proposed programme was issued it would have been a miracle to iiud a Government supporter on Laiubton That was immediate and reaction to the proposals. “I am described in some parts as a terrible person," he continued, “but I am only one of you, a citizen of this country, and 1 ask you to place yourselves in our position. We were a team of men using our initiative and resourcefulness so that we might bring back the Dominion to the position where all "would have work and where the facilities ioi work would be provided."

Mr Forbes Defends Government’s Policy WARNING AGAINST DANGERS OF INFLATION. ’ GORE, Last'Night. Mr Forbes continued his southern tour to-day having a good reception at Balclutha, Ownka and Clinton. He was received in a very friendly manner, having large attendances at his meet-

lugs. ' . . . To-night the Prime .Minister addressed a large public meeting at Gore, being accorded an attentive and appreciative hearing. A vote of thanks was carried 'with cheers at the conclusion. 1 Mr Forbes spoke along the lines of his previous addresses, giving a vigorous defence of the Government’s plans to overcome the depression conditions, replying to criticisms of the exchange rate decision and outlining the measures taken by the Government to give aid to the primary industries. The Government during the depression had a definite plan and carried it out, and : as a result achieved a certain degree of ! recovery which was now benefitting everyone in the country. The speaker referred to its -esiablialiment of the Reserve Bank and its benefit so far as both the country and the Government are concerned. The bank, would be of very great assistance if the country had to pass through another depression. Mr Forbes replied to criticisms respecting boards and commissions. So far as tho future wa.s concerned the Government was not out to bid for votes but asked the people to support a Government which had not been afraid to tackle the issues whether difficult or not but which had seen the country through the greatest crisis in its history. Ho claimed that the record of the Government would stand comparison with the record of any other the country has ever had. The speaker

concluded by expressing bis determination to keep the finances of the country iu a sound state and to sti- ilate industries new and old. Its policy would be for the bonefit of all sections of the community. The speaker issued a final warning against the dangers of inflation which the policy of the Opposition implied. He was quite satisfied that the sane and sensiblo people of New Zealand would not be led away by glittering promises.