MINISTER'S CHARGES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 85, 9 April 1936, Page 8

MINISTER'S CHARGES

THE. MAMAKU SAWMILL REPLY BY MR. D. REESE 1 Per Pliss Association J CHR&TCHL'RCH, April 8. A further reply to the Hon. D. Sullivan was issued by Mr. D. Reese I his afternoon. Mr. Reese said: “The Minister of Railways says that he had nothing to withdraw in connection with the statements that he made in the House last week concerning the members of the Railways Board. Mr. Sullivan clearly has the limitations of generous impulse when, after attacking a man’s honour, he says that he lias nothing to withdraw and still maintains that he was speaking impersonally. He apparently declines my challenge to disclose to (he House and to the country my efforts on the Mamaku sawmill; further. he still alleges that he has been supplied by the department with figures showing: “First, that my statements were wrong and that the Mamaku mill was able to produce limber as cheaply as other mil s were. “Secondly, that the closing of the Mamaku mill ha-* cost rhe country thousands of pounds. “L am prepared to stand bv my reports and allow the people of this country tn judge—- “ First, whether my facts be correct. “Secondly, whether my judgment be cor red. “Thirdly, whether 1 handled the matter with fairness.” “From last night's debate in the House it is apparent I shall get no furthe redress in this matter. I therefore challenge the Minister to repeat outside the House and thus not under the cloak of Parliamentary privileges the same statements, accompanied by the same suggestions and innuendoes as he made in ihe House on the second reading of the Railways Bill. With the allegation that no attack was made on my personal honour 1 am unable to agree. No doubt some of the members of Mr. Sullivan’s party, many of whom I know and respect, will feel compelled to attach some belief to his earlier charges. In view of his further statements published this morning, so seriously do 1 regard the matter, that J prefer it to be adjudicated upon bv an impartial referee, such as the Supreme Court. I feel that a stand must be taken to prevent, if possible, unwarranted attacks upon public men implying discreditable motives. The Minister is reported to have stated that he never alleged that D. Reese had been tendering against the Mamaku mill. “Mr. Forbes interjected: 'I asked you a question about that and you said hp had tendered.’ To which Air. Sullivan’s reply was: “I agree that there is no evidence that Reese or his firm tndered. but f do say that the West (’oast Sawiniiler®’ Association had tendered, and I presumed that his firm was a member of the Association.” The statement that the West Coast Sawmillers’ Association tendered against the Mamaku mill is not true. The Minister's departmental officers know that the statement is not true. Had the Minister inspected the departmental records he must, if a reasonable man, have been forced to the conclusion that he could not honestly make such a statement. I do not feel inclined to continue a public controversy of this sort with the Minister of Railwavs. and as far as I am concerned the matter mav stand.' ’ - ■ - -