HOIST ON HIS OWN PETARD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13428, 10 July 1914, Page 3

HOIST ON HIS OWN PETARD.

REFORMER'S CHARGE AND A MINISTERIAL REBUKE.

(From our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON this day. In the course of his contribution to the Address-in-Reply debate last night, the member for Taumarunui Avaxed A-ery wrathful at what he termed' the espionage amongst public servants on behalf of the Opposition. "There are men m the public service who are paid spies, of the Opposition, paid by the Government to give information to the Opposition. These agitators do everything possible to injure the Government. Grants are being 'wasted m a shocking way. Overseers are fooling with the co-operative laborers and acting as spies for the Opposition." Mr Davey : Have you reported to the Minister? "You leave me alone — I know Ay hat I am doing," retorted Mr Wilson truculently. "I say bhere are men m ■the" public service of this type, Avhose one object Is to discredit the Government." Unfortunately for this, loud- assertion by Taumarunui 's member; it fell athwart the well-known rigid scruples of the Hon. Mr Fraser for uncompromising accuracy. "If the hon. gentleman will formulate charges against these officers, giving names, work affected, and localities, I Avill have a searching inquiry, and see that it does not occur again," said the Minister of Public Works, adding pointedly : "But lam bound to say that some individuals have already complained to ane, saying they could not get work because the'gangers would not give it. to them when tendered. I made inquiries. The very men who made the complaints positively declared that they knew nothing about the matter, and had never made any complaints. I feel it my duty to make 'this, statement m A-iew of the hon. gentleman's remarks," concluded Mr Fraser, amid loud Opposition applause.