MR. SAMUEL'S REPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21297, 26 September 1932, Page 8

MR. SAMUEL'S REPLY

READY TO DEBATE QUESTION PLEDGES TO ELECTORS PRIME MINISTER CALLOUS " LIKE A PETULANT CHILD" [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Sunday An offer to resign the Thames seat on certain conditions was made by Mr. A. M. Samuel to-day in replying to the Prime Minister's challenge. " I am prepared to debate the question at issue on any public platform in New Zealand against Mr. Forbes or Mr. Coates, or both of them," said Mr. Samuel. 'lf 25 per cent of the audience say that I am wrong in declaring that a definite promise was made that legislation would be introduced to restore fhc pensions of miners' widows, then I will resign my seat. I am also prepared to resign on certain other conditions which I will make known later.

" It is all tommy rot for Mr. Forbes to say I won the Thames seat because I was endorsed as the Coalition candidate. As a result of Mr. Forbes' interference, Mr. Marshall withdrew from the contest and joined the Labour Party. He was publicly thankpd by the Labour Party for withdrawing because it was considered his action had assisted the prospects of that party's candidate. No Debt to Coalition

" I have nothing to thank the Coalition Party for," said Mr. Samuel. " I won the Thames seat in spite of the Coalition, which was more a hindrance than a help to me. I made certain pledges to the electors on the platform and I have kept those pledges. I consider that more important than voting in favour of measures of which I disapprove and for which I made no pledge of support. " There were other members in the House during the committee stage of the National Expenditure Adjustment Bill last session who heard Mr. Coates give a definite promise that legislation would be introduced to restore the pensions. I refuse to be over-ridden in this matter by the callousness of the Pi-ime Minister. He does not seem to realise that many miners died happy in the belief that their widows would be provided for. Mr. Forbes claims to be the successor of Ballance, Seddon and Ward, Why, those statesmen would turn in their graves at the thought of the Government's attitude in this matter. " Piece of Cheap Evasion " " I repeated the promise made by Mr. Coates when I was speaking on the third reading of the bill and the correctness of my remarks was not challenged. I understand the Prime Minister now states that he does not reply to third reading speeches and that that was why my statement that a definite promise had been made was not commented on. In my opinion, that remark is merely a piece of cheap evasion on Mr. Forbes' part. It was his duty to reply if he considered such an important statement was incorrect. In my opinion, Mr. Forbes is acting in this matter like a petulant child. " I was not the only one who voted against important policy matters last session," said Mr. Samuel. " On the spur of the moment I can think of several who acted likewise—for instance, Messrs. A. J. Stallworthy, W. W. Massey, J. A. Nash and R. A. Wright; and there were others. The Prime Minister has asked me to resign my seat. I suggest to him that he asks the same favour of the others who have also voted against the Government."

Mr. Samuel was asked -whether he had officially severed his connection with the Coalition Party. His answer was " No." He was also asked if he proposed to move his place in the House so that ho would no longer be the occupant of a Government member's bench. His reply was "No, why should I?"