HOIST ON HIS OWN PETARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12284, 10 July 1914, Page 7

HOIST ON HIS OWN PETARD.

REFORMER'S CHARGE AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANTS,

By Telegraph.

(Feoie Ofr Ow.v Correspondent.) Wellington, July 9

In the-course of his contribution-to the Addross>-m-Reply debate to-night, the member for Tauiiiarunui waxed very wrathful at what lie termed espionage; among, public-servants on behalf of the Opposition. In tones .raucous, with indignation, he cried: "There are men in the Ptiblie Service who are paid spies of the- Opposition, paid :by the Government to give iitformation to the Opposition. -These.agitators, .1 call them, do everything possible to injure the- Government. Grants are being wasted in a shocking way, overseers are fooling with the co-operative laborers, and act-' ing as spies for the Opposition. MrDavey: Have you reported it to the Minister?

"You cleave me alone. I know what I am doing," retorted Mr Wilson truculently.- "I say there are men in the Public Service of this'type, whose one object, is to discredit the Government."

Unfortunately for this loud assertion by Tanmarnnui's member. it fell athwart, the well-known rigid scruples of the Hon. Mr Eraser for uncompromising accuracy. ''lf the lion, gentleman will formulate charges against these officers, giving the names, the work affected, and the localities, I will have a searching inquiry, and see that it does not occur figain," said the Minister for Public Works, adding pointedly: "But 1 am bound to sav that some individuals have already complainerl to me saying they couid not get; work because the gangers would not give; it to them. Wh-eu, however, 1 made inquiries the very men who made the complaints positively declare! that they knew nothing about the matter and had never made any complaints. I feel it my duty to make this statement in view of the bon. gentleman's remarks," concluded Mr Eraser, amid loud Opposition applause.