MR. JONES AND RAILWAYS

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1929, Page 14

MR. JONES AND RAILWAYS

QUESTION OF HIS ABILITY PUBLIC CRITICISM DEPRECATED. DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. (By Wire. —Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The action of the ex-chairman of the Railway Board (Mr. F. J. Jones) in taking an active part in the newspaper controversy over the South Island main trunk railway was warmly criticised by the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. A. Veitch) in the House of Representatives to-day. ‘The ex-chairman of the Railway Board lias adopted an unusual practice in coming into a Press discussion regarding a railway," said Mr. Veitch. •Ho was retired on superannuation at a pension of £1122 19s per annum about 18 months before he was entitled to retire. He almost immediately showed sufficient vigour to come into the political fight in support of the Prime Minister who awarded him that pension.” The Leader of the Opposition (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates): Does the Minister seriously suggest that? Mr. Veitch: The facts speak for themselves. I am simply recording the facts and to me they are perfectly clear. 1 understand Mr. Jones was allowed to retire before his time on account of illhealth. Mr. D. Jones: Are his statements facts? Mr. Veitch: No; unquestionably his statements are quite wrong. Mr. J. A. Nash: Where are they wrong? Mr. eitch: The figures he quoted showed that he did not have that scientific knowledge he should have possessed. Mr. Nash: Do you think his estimate is wrong? Mr. Veitch: I would not like to compare it with other estimates.