Vote Buying

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 507, 9 November 1928, Page 12

Vote Buying

MR. COATES CONTRADICTS MR. FLETCHER BRIBERY CHARGE ANSWERED Allegations that the Government had attempted, in various ways, to win votes by unfair means, were answered by the Prime Minister, Mr. J. G. Coates, to-day. Mr. J. S. Fletcher, United candidate for Grey Lynn, challenged the Government to deny that salaries in certain branches of the Civil Service had been raised within the last few days. He asked why a contract for a locomotive was given to Price’s engineering works during an election campaign, stating it was obvious the Government was trying to save Mr. A. M. Samuel’s seat in Thames by buying votes on the eve of the election. Mr. Coates said that apart from a few increases granted subsequent upon the passing of the annual appropriations by Parliament, there had been no general increases in any branch of the Civil Service. The general statutory regrading of the various branches of the Government service was not due until April. He added that Messrs. Price Bros., Thames, had been constructing railway locomotives for the Government for many years. It was well known that the Railway Department’s new workshops at Otaliuhu and Lower Hutt were just being completed and that the change-over from the old to the new shops was taking place. Some dislocation was inevitable, and some 18 months ago arrangements were made with the firm to assist the department in carrying out heavy repairs and in the construction of two locomotives during the transitional stage. It was incorrect to say that a contract had been let during the election campaign.