N.Z. LEGATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 201, 26 August 1943, Page 4

N.Z. LEGATION

COSTS ATJVASHINGTON ELECTION ADVERTISEMENT REPUDIATED (P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., Aug. 25. Replying in the House of Representatives this afternoon to a statement made yesterday by the Prime Minister concerning an advertisement dealing with the expense of the Washington Legation, inserted in a Wellington newspaper by Will Appleton, National candidate for Wellington Central, the Loader' of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, said the advertisement had been inserted and paid for by a private individual without the knowledge of the National Partv. Mr. Holland said he had checked up the information contained in the advertisement and had found that an error had been made in one instance onlv, relating to the salary of the Minister of Finance, and this woulcibe corrected immediately. The Rt. Hon. P. Fraser said he wished to thank the Leader of I i Opposition tor correcting the obvious 4 glaring mistakes in the advertisement. ' The Government could justify every farthing of the expenditure even if it had been ten times as much because Of the returns New Zealand had received from the United States in the shape of goodwill, support, artnaiments, munitions and aeroplanes Mr. Fraser added that on his return to New Zealand. Mr. Nash had resumed his ordinary Ministerial salary, rherc was no man in the country who had sacrificed more financially for his beliefs than Mr. Nash. Mr. Fraser said bo was sure Mr. Holland would not lik' it to go forth that they grudged full navment for the representation of New Zealand in America on a scale similar to those of other countries. Statements contained in an advertisement published in The Post last. Saturday by Mr. Will Appleton. official National candidate for Wellington Central, relating tQ the cost of IhM Washington Legatidi were the subject of a protest by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) in the House ot Representatives on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Fraser said that statements in the advertisement amounted to a misrepresentation, which n n wished to correct in the interests of the finances J of the country. Mr. Fraser quoted the advertisement, which alleged that the New Zealand Legation in Washington was tn cost £39,979 this year, and that the cost, of furnishing “Mr. Nash's palatial residence was £6536, while his car cost £372.” The advertisement also claimed that the salaries paid this year to a staff of 20 in Washington wc<? estimated at £24,504. compared with £39.416 for a staff of 140 in London. “But, of course,” the advertisement continued, “Mr. Nash draws £7604 ire? from social and national security ch urge—£2ooo salary and 'location expenses’ £5604.” Commenting on these statements, the Prime Minister said that the figure quoted for furniture included £7lB for repairs and alterations £973 for general upkeep of office and residence, and £4485, which was an item that would not recur, for furniture. The alleged cost of the Minister’s car was incorrect. the £872 being the price of two enrs—one for the official use of the Minister and the other for message and other work. Mr. Nash did not draw £7604 free ot social security, national security, and income tax. His salary was £2OOO a year whilst in Washington and it had been subject io social security, national security, and income tax. The location allow- . ancc incluaed the salaries and mrintenance of the personal staff at the Legation, together with the cost of official entertainment. The New Zealand Legation expenses last year, said Mr. Fraser, were £35,485. and the corresponding costs for the Australian Legation were £60,997.. Now Zealand salaries and wages, including location expenses in 1942-43, were £14,135, the corresponding Australian figure being £37.928. The Australian Minister at Washington received the same salary and location allowance as the New* Zealand Minister, and the British Ambassador received three times the amount.