“STINKING FISH."

Southland Times, Issue 16843, 20 September 1911, Page 5

“STINKING FISH."

“DAMAGING NEW ZEALAND.” OPPOSITION CRITICISM RESENTED. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 19. The request of a deputation representing various North Island Chambers of Commerce that the Government should make a start with the NapierGisborne railway from the Napier end, gave Sir Joseph Ward the chance this afternoon to make soma pungent remarks on the subject of Opposition criticism. He said that if they looked at the views expressed In the Opposition organ published In Wellington they might come to the conclusion that the Government, unless it had a great deal of courage, would be deterred from making any railways at all. Even outside the country there were expressions of opinion favourable to New Zealand, and yet they found every effort made to damage the Government and to deter the country from going on with the construction of public works. For instance, when the Government undertook the completion of the North Island Trunk railway it provided an amount•. which had never been provided before (£IOO,OOO a year). Now they had the complete ignoring of the conditions prevailing in the country—conditions created unfortunately for political purposes—and the insinuation that we were going to the dogs that was ' published broadcast throughout the country, and the only conclusion one could come to was that it was done deliberately to destroy the financial position of the Government and allow another party to come into power. ‘‘The Vilest Abuse.” The Government provided the money for works that were reproductive, that did not impose any taxation on. the taxpayers at all, anil yet in a newspaper tli at was supposed to lie voicing the views of the people and that was distributed in financial quarters in London the Government was subjected to the vilcsl abuse and the most contemptible tactics in connection with the public undertakings Hint it was carrying on. Personally he did not care ; but lie thought it was time the people look notice of what was going on. In no other country in the world could they find the cry of “stinking' fish” being so raised and the carrying out. of a policy detrimental to the professions,' the farmers and the country as a whole. Wretched System. For political purposes the Government would, lie went on to say, pursue the policy it had carried out in the past and provide facilities for the people. It would make proper provision for railwavs and accept the responsibility. It was idle and futile in eases where it was a matter of life and death to have public facilities provided ' that such a wretched system should bo adopted for political purposes. The Government would make full provision for the expenditure on public works, and would carry them on vigorously ; but he did think it was time that the people who were giving expression to the views lie bad referred to recognised ttie damage they were likely to do to New Zealand. They were, lie declared, intended to damage the Government. What consequence was it to the Government, lie asked, whether it was in or out ? The Government had the responsibility of office, and would carry it out as long as it was in power. It bad always done what was fair to the North Island and the South Island find would continue to do so. Twelve Millions Wanted. The Government could not respond to anything like the number of applications received from settlors for public, works, for railways, for roads and bridges this session alone. The cost of the applications would amount to about £12.000,000, and the Government had only about £2,250,000 to spend. That sort of thing happened every year. The great bulk of the public works were paying interest on the cost of construction, and yet, judging from the comments wade, people outside would be forced to the conclusion that New 7.ea- , land was going to (he (logs, whereas it was the strongest amongst the Australasian States financially. This cry of “stinking fish” was being raised, tie supposed. with the idea of bringing about a change of parties. It was a matter of little consequence to the Government so long as it stood up for the country. If (lie people did not want these railways, very well ; but. from the persistent and continuous representations that, were made ir was evident (hat they did want them. He and his colleagues had their backs to the wall resisting applications Tor an expenditure that would be abnormal in any one year, and yet when the Government endeavoured lo limit the expenditure to reasonable proportions they found an atiempt made lo aggravate the financial position, an attempt which lie repeated was damaging Xew Zealand and was intended to damage the- Government. He added that he did not object to criticism, hut lie did object to the barm that was being dpne.