HALF PAWNED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 266, 9 November 1928, Page 8

HALF PAWNED.

NEW ZEALAND'S PLIGHT.

'REFORM WOULD TAX THE AIR."

"One of the most outstanding and absurd speeches of this contest dealt with tiio ability of the Reform and United leaders to borrow more money than each other," said Mr. W. E. Parry, Labour candidate, at Virginia Avenue last right. "It seems to me something like a contest to convince the electors which of the two leaders could pawn New Zealand in the shortest time. What an outlook for posterity! Under Reform's administration our national debt has shot up to such proportions that half our revenue is eaten up in interest and sinking funds. The country is already half pawned.

"We have taxed all but the atmosphere, and one wonders when a device will be invented to monopolise the air," concluded Mr. Parry. "When that comes about, the Tory Government will be able to tax the air we breathe, and then they'll be happy."

Mr. Parry said that with all Reform's taxation, the Government did very little indeed for the poor and needy of New Zealand. Twice last year he had stated in the House of Representatives that the widows of Civil servants should continue to draw superannuation. The Government would do nothing in the matter. If it was a sacrifice for a Government employee to make monthly superannuation payments, it was equally a sacrifice for his wife, and it was unfair that the superannuation should stop short when the husband died. "I intend to make a nuisance of myself on this question, if re-elected," declared Mr. Parry.