BUSINESS MEN AND POLITICIANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21431, 4 September 1931, Page 10

BUSINESS MEN AND POLITICIANS

RESPECTIVE MERITS DISCUSSED POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S VIEWS. (Elton Oou Pakuajientaky Reportee ) WELLINGTON, September 3. The respective merits of business men and professed politicians was the subject of a brief but interesting exchange in the House of Representatives this evening, when Mr D. Jones (Mid-Canterbury ) drew the fire of the Postmaster-general (Mr J. B. Donald). The question was raised during the discussion in committee of the Broadcasting Bill, when Mr Jones said he was very surprised that the Post-master-general should be the one to be in' charge of the measure. Mr Donald had entered Parliament bitterly opposed to State interference in private enterprise, and he seemed to regard politicians as something below a, business man. Mr Donald: I still do, Mr Jones: Well, the business man has our sympathy. Mr Donald: There arc parliamentarians and politicians, you know. Mr Jones: One wonders whether the Minister is a business man or a'•politician. Mr Donald: I am not a politician. Mr Jones changed the subject for a moment, saying he would oppose the Bill on the ground that the Board of Control would be mainly political. “ I make a distinction between parliamentarians and politicians,” declared Mr Donald, when he rose to reply ‘ We have far too many politicians in this country." Mr W. E. Barnard (Napier): They are not all in Parliament. The Minister said it was quite true that not all politicians were in Parliament. “ Members can ‘ throw oif ’ as much as they like about the business man,” he added, “ but it is the business man who will pull this country through. I know we have some good men in Parliament, and I hope the few politicians we have will go west. — (Laughter.) If the good, solid business men stand for Parliament at the election, we will see most of them elected.” At this stage the Chairman of Committees (Mr W. A. Bodkin) called Mr Donald back to the clauses in the Bill. Mr Jones: He is broadcasting.