POINT OF ORDER

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20886, 18 August 1939, Page 8

POINT OF ORDER

M.P’S PRIVATE affairs PUBLIC WORKS DISCUSSION REFERENCE BY MINISTER (By Telegraph.—Special to Ttia*s> WELLINGTON, Thursday Referring in the House of Representati\es to-night to Opposition criticism of Public Works expenditure the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, said one such critic had been the member for Waikato, Mr W. S. Goosman. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr Goosman was strongly opposed to the expenditure on public works that formed a very big part in connection with his business. Mr Goosman: That is quite right. Another Opposition Member: What is wrong with that? Mr Parry; Without quoting the amount that goes in that connection I will say that— Mr W. J. Poison 'Opposition— Stratford rose to a point of order at this stage. “This is the private business of the member for Waikato,” he said. Private Affairs Rule The Minister of Housing, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong; How do you know what the Minister is going to say? The speaker outlined the rule of Ihr* (louse on the question of reference to tho private affairs of members. Speaking to the point of order Mr Parry contended that where public monies were affected in the discussion of the public affairs of the country members were entitled to make refers ence to them, no matter where they went. He indicated, however, that he would leave the particular point he was making there. Expenditure In Kalpere Mr Parry said the member for Kalpara. the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, had also referred to the enormous expenditure on public works, but would he offer himself on the altar and take away the £56,000 that had been spent on the average in Ills district for the last three years? Mr Coates: It is not correct. Mr Parry: But It is correct. The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple: Yes it is. At the conclusion of the Minister's speech Mr Coates rose to challenge his statement. The Speaker indicated that if Mr Coates had not been misrepresented he would have to take another ooc&sion to refer to the matter.