Liberal Leader Under Fire

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 86, 2 July 1927, Page 4

Liberal Leader Under Fire

DIVERSION IN HOUSE PARTIES AND PERSONALITIES | (THE SVX'S Parliamentary Hcijortcr.) WELLINGTON, Friday. fT'HERE were some lively mo--1 merits when Mr. W. A. Veitch, member for Wanganui, was compelled to run the gauntlet of his fellow-members to-day during his speech in the Address-in-Reply debate. So long as he confined his discourse to political subjects ot a general nature he was reasonably sate, but at the mention of the word “party” interjections fell about his ears like the proverbial castle of cards. “We have heard a lot about party funds,” said Mr. Veitch. Government interjectors: Your party funds! Mr. Veitch: It would not take me long to tell you about my party funds. We are rich in the goodwill of our, fellow-citizens, but not in bank credits.” He then expressed the opinion that the profligate expenditure of accumulated funds at the last election must have been reflected in Government promises to someone. The Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod: What promises did yoti make? Mr. Veitch: A promise of a change of Government—a change that will be very popular throughout New' Zealand. In reply to an interjection on Reform administration, Mr. Veitch said: Even a murderer dodges the hangman for some time, but eventually justice gets him. Mr. McLeod: You dodged him for some time. Mr. Veitch claimed that contributions to the Liberal funds were given in an altruistic spirit, and the donors naturally did not wish publication. Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party: The Labour Party publishes its list of contributors. Mr. Veitch (quickly): Yes, and some of the names are very hard to pronounce. (Laughter from all sides.) A FAUX PAS Mr. Veitch then read an advertisement issued on behalf of Sir James Parr in the i 925 election, and when asked by an interjector, retorted: I am reading the advertisement: that is the only honest thing I can do. This faux pas fell upoh expectant members like manna in the desert, and through the shrieks of laughter Mr. Veitch explained to Mr. Speaker that he did not have Irish blood in his veins. Immediately afterwards Mr. Veitch announced that he had been travelling through the country. A Government Member: What doing? Mr. Veitch: Telling the truth about the Reform Party. Mr. A. M. Samuel: That would not take long* Mr. Veitch: No, nor would it take long to tell how much the hon. gentleman knows. Mr. Samuel (quickly): No, and it would take no longer to tell how much we both know. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Veitch: My faith has been gravely shaken in the Government. The Prime Minister: That doesn’t worry anyone but yourself. Mr. Veitch: It does not worry me. The Prime Minister promised the people a new Heaven and a new earth. He has given them something of a higher temperature than either place. Mr. V. H. Potter: You wait till later on! POLITICAL GYMNASTICS The Minister for Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod, replied shortly but effectively to Mr. Veitch, condemning his action in entering the electorate of Sir Joseph Ward, the only Liberal in the House, to address the people upon the merits of his newly-revived hopes for Liberalism. The Minister described Mr. Vitch’s movements as political gymnastics and as a record in acrobatic feats. It would be so while Mr. Veitch remained in the House.

Mr. D. G. Sullivan: There are members equally agile on the Reform side. Mr. McLeod: It cannot be said of me.

The Minister later referred particularly to the conferences which had been held in connection with the formation of the new party, and declared that the chief topic of discussion was an aim to destroy the Reform Party by first destroying the popularity of the Prime Minister. This signalised a protest from the National benches, and one member said: “It was never discussed.” Mr. Veitch said: “You cannot, destroy what does not exist.” Mr. McLeod continued, and said he made no charge against the Labour Party. Mr. P. Fraser: I should think not. Mr. McLeod: No, because 1 have found them, on the whole, to be fair fighters. But if I were to lay a charge against any man it would be the Leader of the new Liberal Party. Mr. Veitch:-What is the charge? Other Voices: What was the trouble? Mr. McLeod: I say it was discussed as to how the Reform Party could be brought down. Mr. H. Atinore: And why not? Mr. McLeod: And the first thing was to destroy the popularity of the Prime Minister —by associating him with liquor or anything else. Mr. W. Parry: There are some in your own party who would be glad to bring down Reform.