“THAT'S BRIBERY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 750, 24 August 1929, Page 6

“THAT'S BRIBERY”

MINISTER’S REMARK CHALLENGED MR. STALLWORTHY’S DENIAL .(The SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter) PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Friday. The statement that he would treat all big landowners alike in the way of taxation, irrespective of whether they came from the country or tow-n, whs made by the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, during his Budget speech in the House today. He made one peculiar denial of a remark about the Reform Party and its funds. Land speculation, he contended, had been nothing more nor less than a curse for many years past. It was pleasing that the Government had courageously faced the position in the House. The squatter friends of the Reform Party had placed crushing burdens on the general public long enough. Mr. A. Hamilton (Wallace): What about the city landowners? Mr. Stallworthy: I would make no discrimination with regard to the city. How could the Reform Party justify the exemption from taxation of the big man? he asked. “They are not exempted,” said Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Stall worthy: The Reform Party most unjustly relieved some of the largest incomes in this country from taxation. No doubt it was done to stimulate party funds. Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata): That is bribery. A Reform Member: Of course it is. “Mr. Speaker, point of order,” said Mr. Harris. “Is the honourable member justified in making such a charge against the Reform Party? Mr. Stallworthy: I made no such statement. Mr. Samuel: Read it; you have it there. Mr. Speaker asked the Minister if he would assure the House that he did not make the statement. Mr. Stallworthy: Yes, sir, I assure the House that I did not make the statement. Mr. Samuel (heatedly): Did you cross it out?