“WAIT AND SEE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 418, 28 July 1928, Page 13

“WAIT AND SEE”

AUCKLAND TRANSPORT DISCUSSION PRIME MINISTER HECTORED (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON. To-day. In a session that has produced few lively interludes, it was left to the Auckland Transport report, presented late yesterday afternoon, to provoke real warmth between the Prime Minister and his Labour critics. “Wait and see,” said the Prime Minister, and then the fun started. Mr. M.. J. Savage, on production of the report by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. K. S. Williams, asked whether the Government had any intention in the wide world of bringing down legislation to give effect to the Commission’s recommendations. The Prime Minister: Wait and see. A MILLION TO ONE Mr. Savage said it was a million to one that the recommendations of the Commission would produce no action. A Parliamentary committee had reported on the same subject, but its report had not been acted upon. Yet when the Prime Minister was asked a civil question, all he could say was “wait and see.” Mr. Coates: Yes. wait and see. Mr. Savage: Courtesy costs nothing. Mr. Coates (with some heat): The hon. gentleman is being particularly offensive. The Prime Minister was ordered by the Speaker to withdraw this remark, and did so. Mr. Savage went on to say that if anything offensive was said Mr. VC. A. Veitch: It was not on your side. Mr. Savage: No, it was not on my side. Mr. Crates disagreed. Mr. Savage continued: Well, I can wait and see. We can wait, but it is doubtful if the Government can. In the face of such a reply as that given by the Prime Minister, I am, of course, helpless. Mr. Coates: Yes, you are helpless. ANSWER TO AUCKLAND Mr. H. G. It. Mason (Eden) said he had not intended to speak, but he now wished to protest against the Prime Minister’s attitude. His answer was an answer to all the people of Auckland, who were waiting to see what w'ould be done. They were tired of such answers. Mr. Coates was not to b© dr&wn further, and at this stage was scanning the evening paper containing the Tunney-Heeney fight story. Mr. J. A. Lee said it might almost bo thought that commissions were set up, not to solve problems, but to help the Government avoid them. The pigeon-holes they heard so much about would soon be littered with the results of commissions. After commending the efforts of this particular Commission, he went on to refer to the case of a famous British statesman whose answer was so often “wait and see.” that “wait and see’ became household words. But ultimately there came a time when “Wait and See” was not re-elected. “HIS JOB TO COMPLAIN” In reply the Prime Minister said he had observed with interest the tactics of the Labour members. They wanted to make the effect of the omnibus regulations a question for the Government. As a matter of fact, Auckland was the only place in which there had been any difficulty. What was the solution? Had anyone got a solution? There were, of course, varied opinions. Mr. Mason: I am not complaining of the opinions; I am complaining of the indifference and neglect. Mr. Coates said it was the hon. member’s job to complain. In fact, so often did he complain that it was hard to say, when he was complaining, if that was not his normal voice. However, he might not have the opportunity to complain in the House much longer, and he thought Mr. Mason knew that. His seat was in the lap of the Gods—very much so. Mr. Savage had suggested that the Parliamentary Committee’s report might have been just as useful. Well, he would not dispute that. Mr. Savage:* As a matter of fact, I didn’t say so. I said the Government had failed to act on the Parliamentary Committee’s report.

Mr. Coates: That is contrary to fact. He believed that if the Transport Commission recommended a Transport Board, legislation should be created to provide it.

Mr. Mason: Why did you not tell the deputation that, a year ago?

Mr. Coates: The hon. member is very alert all of a sudden. Is it the little bus down to the Point that is troubling him? He Itoped the recommendations of the Transport Commission would prove useful. As for the Government’s part, he thought the Government’s case was all right. The Government would be back again in the same old seats. Mr. Savage: Wait and see. Mr. Coates (smiling): Yes, that’s a very good idea. He explained that what he referred to when he first said “wait and see” was that the districts concerned should be given a chance to see what was in the report.. Subsequently Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, attacked the Government in general and the Prime Minister in particular, and stated that “wait and see” had come to be a typical answer.