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iquor Interest Help Denied by Government In Emphatic Manner Heated Debate Develops in Legislature as Minis-- ters Tell of Campaign Expenses--Premier Bor-- rowed $27,000 -- Ques-- NICKLE APPROV ES OF CENTRAL FUND Hammer--and--tong tactics featured an informal debate in the Legis-- lature yesterday, when Government and Opposition members--with Hon. W. E. Raney the "stormy petrel" of the proceedings--clashed again over the widely argued question of Oppo-- sition privilege in respect of ques-- tions to the Ministry. Currie Opens Debate. Col. OJ. A. Curric, Conservative member for Toronto, was the spark which touched off the fireworks. In his customary vigorous style, the Colonel took exception. to a news-- paper story féaturing questions which Hon. W. E. faney proposed to ask the Government. In-- effect, they dealt with alleged support of Government candidates in the last Provincial election by brewing and distilling -- interests. Furthermore, they asked if election expenses of certain members had been paid out of the Central Conservative fund. Col. Currie told the House that he ad paid his own expenses Guring he campaign, and referred cuttingly o Mr. Raney as a "forecast politi-- clan." With a copy in his hand of the newspaper carrying the Raney ques-- tions, Premier Ferguson stepped in-- to the argument. In regard to ques-- tions, he declared,\ the rules of the House had to be observed. The question paper should not be pros'ii-- tuted. Many queries, he added, had been given to the newspapers before the Speaker had been given a chance to pass on thein. He thought that the House should unanimously see that such practice was stopped. Most of the questions were obviously po-- litical. They sought no real informa-- tion from the Ministry,. No public interests were btéing served by them. Vigorous Denial. Premier -- Ferguson loudly said "No'"* to each and all of Mr. Raney's questions in the paper; then added that they had been fashioned solely with a desire to embarrass the Government. He went on to ask why should a man like Aaron Sweet of Dundas be dragged into the pub-- lic prints by these questions--a man whose honor was unquestioned--to have the finger of suspicion directed his way. $ The Premier thon delved into his own case at some length. Visibly moved, he told how during the last election he had to go to the bank for $27,000, and in order to secure it had been compelled to pledge near-- ly all his worldly possessions. Since that time, he stated, he had been able to pay that amount back, due, in no small measure, to contributions supplied to him through sources of which he had no knowledge. tions Characterized as "V ilest Slanders" | _ _'"Do you speak from experience?" ; came a Conservative voice. Mr. Raney, in stating that he had paid his own election expenses, added Ithat his questions, he beliecved, would Ibe justified, if only '*"we can get {somewhere in this unfortunate situ-- | ation." For 40 years, he went on to say, the practice had been for liquor interests to support parties from which they expect favor. '"Does any-- body doubt it?" he asked. Col. Currie--Mr. Speaker, the honorable member over the way is entirely out of order. Me has been rebuked by the Speaker, and he's just making matters worse." Mr. --Raney--I will acept the Speaker's rebuke, and say that I erred in giving the newspapers these questions, as I did. But don't let's iget too far afield. The Spceaker--You've got too far now. This debate's going to last about two minutes longer. BeSdatj, Mar-ck 2 a d The Speaker was inclined to look upon the questions as "most dis-- courteous'"' and "very nearlyv approaching libel. Tt has just been possible,." he said, "that I've heen a little lenient in letting questions appear on the paper which might as well have been kept off. Let me say that I never saw these particu-- lar questions. From now on I shall hold religiously to the. rules. If questions are not what they should be they will not go on the paper." Raney Is Unrepentant. "I'm still unrepentant," said Mr. lianey. "There has been a conspiracy of silence on the subject of election contributions. There is not a mem-- ber of this House who doesn't know that there is a Provincial fund from which local candidates draw assist-- ance. I think that the law should be amended so this practice can be stopped." "Vilest Slanders." I submit, Mr. Speaker, that the rules should be enforceed. Public effort in the Legislature must be raised to a higher plane" "I claim," said the Premier, his| voice breaking, "that these questionsi are the vilest slanders, not only| againet me personally, but against| other members of the Government.| In turn, Aaron Sweet and J. A. McCausland, whose names were mentioned in Mr. Raney's interroga-- tions, voiced their protest against what they termed the "insinuations contained." Warm Exchanges, In view of the proportions the dis-1 cussion -- was attaining, Attorney-- Generai Nickle, at this point, moved an adjournment of the House, and took the floor. He expressed him-- self as believing that Mr. Raney's questions were out of order. Fur-- ther, he thought that Mr. Raney, 'having created the suggestions he had created, should stand up and say he was prepared to substantlate them--or withdraw from his seat. aNot only had Mr. Raney cast asper-- | sions on the members of the House, ! but on the Conservative party as well. That he had been struck "with horror'"' at the innuendo contained in the questions, was Mr. Nickle's declaration. "There was no imputlation -- #e-- garding Mr. Sweet in the questions," said Mr. Raney. w Many members----What did vou put his name in for? Mr. Raney--Let me gsay---- Mr. Sweet--Do you mean to in-- sinuate that I was supplied funds by liquor interests? Don't you throw out such a suggestion. [ a." '"Don't get nervous, Mr. Spcaker," 'said Mr. Raney. "I'm quite in or. der." j _ '"*Will he or will he not stand be-- j hind the innuendo of his state-- | ments?" asked Mr. Nickle. ! "There is no innuendo," said Mr. [ Raney. '"And no logic in your argu-- i ment. either." continued. "Go to It," said Mr. Raney. Mr., --Nickle characterized fr. Raney's reference, in the questions, to Mr. Sweet and John Joynt as *not in good taste.'" Attorney--General's View, Mr, Raney here asked it Mr. Nickle thought it was discreditable for a Conservative candidate to ac-- cept election support from a central fund. s "Certainly not," said Mr. Nickile. "I thought you'd say so," s»aid Mr. Ranev. Stating that Parliament was not a rich man's club, Mr. Nickle added that he, so to speak, had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had always been able to pay his own campaign expenses. There were others less fortunate. Why should they not have the aid of friends? 'iir refusing to Answer questions fSurely all the Ministers, he stated I were not afraid of suspicion. _ Mr, Sincl ed that the Mr. Raney jumped to his feet. "Order!'" called the Speaker. Mr. Nickle--I don't know how to debate with the honorable momber. If imputation implies to his first question in the article--and he ad-- mits it does--then I submit it applics to all the questions following." Mr. Sinclair, Liberal Leader, urg-- P olb ds t fln t indtociandis tb stt' naturally had not wanted to be nur-- ried. He thought they would beo brought cdown within ten days. Mr. Raney--My! My! [ . W, E. N. Sinclair, Liberal Leader. |quoted The_ Manchester Guardian | as saying: "Ontario Legislature, tivr-- ing of narrow majorities on liquor plebiscites, proposes to re--establish the sale of liquor." and asked if the article from which this statement was taken had been the result o' an impression Premier -- Ferguson might have created when abroad. ""I doubt very much if such is the | case," said the Premier. "I am not 'the correspondent of The Manches-- \.\ ter Guardian. I am inclined to think n a Aaswatenh eame from 'The To The fiery debate closed . with a statement from Premier Ferg:son that the Government was endeavor-- ing to live up to a policy it had adopted on entering office--that of maintaining a high standard of pub-- lic morals, and avoiding the faintest shadow of suspicion. Accounts Ready Soon. In reply Hon. W. H. Price, Frovin-- cial Treasurer, said the Government had been making a rnumber of im-- provements to public accounts, and naturally had not wanted to be hur-- Le IIa +hanoht* they would c Prior to the debate, Mr. Naney re--inquired as to when the public accounts would be brought dewn, stating that two years ago they were brought down thirteen days after the session opened. f . "I doubt very muCch 1i case," said the Premier. the correspondent of 'P ter Guardian. J am incli the despatch came {fron ronto Star." £ CIPCUM AWDCECCC Taken to task by Ar. Raney 0n the matter of the personnel of the Public Accounts Committee, the Premier stated that the practice fol-- lowed this year was one which had been in vogue since the Legislature was constituted. Referring to Mr. n o 22c @0 stnunitan that the com-- was constituted. Referring to AMt. Raney's declaration that the com-- mittee comprised -- 45 Government supporters and only 19 of the Oppo-- sition, the Premier said he did not think it mattered much whether there were 16 Government sup-- porters or 60. The Government had been following an established prece-- dent--one which had worked out very well. speak somewhat strongly," he Government "go & Urg« slow"