OUR WEALTHY CABINET

NZ Truth, Issue 1229, 20 June 1929, Page 12

OUR WEALTHY CABINET

, "Truth's" Recent Article Read With Ministerial Interest SPEECH REFERENCES AT LUNCHEON

Prime Ministers and Ministers of the Crown are but human, and most adult human ueings m New Zealand read "N.Z. Truth."

IT is, therefore, not surprising to learn ..that- reference 'was made by Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. A. J. Stall-worthy, to the artiole which appeared m the National Paper concerning the wealth possessed by Ministers of the Crown, at a public function held m Auckland recently. The occasion was a gathering of United Party devotees which entertained the Prime Minister. Mr. Stallworthy, m adding his quota of praise m reference to the personal qualities of Sir Joseph Ward, said: "An artiple m 'Truth* recently stated that our Prime Minister is worth a million sterling. "I have not investigated the matter, but I know that lie is worth more than a million sterling if the esteem and

respect of the people could be counted as money." Sir Joseph m reply referred to the. article m question and smilingly deprecated the assertion that he is a millionaire. "As a matter of fact," said the Prime Minister, "I really believe I am the poorest member of the Ministry." From the manner m -which he dealt with the subject it was apparent that he also had read the article m question. Just m passing, "Truth" Avould remind Sir Joseph that m the article which created so much, interest this paper did not accuse him of being a millionaire actually, but a very wealthy man whose financial affairs were such that he was approaching the stage when he could be termed the possessor of a seven-figure fortune.