ECONOMIC CONDITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 15, 19 January 1931, Page 8

ECONOMIC CONDITION.

FERTILISER SUPPLIES.

«A NATIONAL UNDERTAKING"

LABOUR MEMBER'S VIEW,

"I am strongly of opinion that the Prime Minister should lose no time in giving an assurance to the country that the farmlands of New Zealand will not lie allowed to deteriorate for want of manures," said Mr. W. E. Parry, M.P. for Auckland Central, this morning, wheil discussing- the economic situation..

Mr. Parry said it would be a national disaster to permit the productive value of farmlands to fall because of lack of supplies of fertilisers. The country as a whole would receive a severe shock if manure supplies were not forthcoming as a result of falling prices/.and he unhesitatingly declared that it should be a national undertaking to supplythat requirement to the farmer, and the country.

"The question of mortgages has also to be faced and dealt with," Mr. Parry added. "If this is not done we will be forced further into the mire. Farmers and other people who have raised mortgages upon values based upon 30 to 40 per cent -higher prices for their labour and their products are unable t.o-day to meet the demand of the mortgagee on their present incomes. If prompt action is not taken farmers will be forced to leave their holdings and workers compelled to leave their homes.

Mr. Coates and Railways. _ "On the question of railway construction that ■is causing so much heartburning at present, the 'yes-no' attitude of the Leader of the Opposition, the Et. Hon. J. ,G. Coates, is indeed interesting. He has always been anxious to urge .that a lead should be given the country in the matter of, transport, and this is. the lead he himself has given. He first proclaims that .all railways should be stopped, pending investigation, and when, the Government stops a number, including one in his district, he immediately starts to shuffle. Evidently, according to the policy of Mr. Coates, railway construction is only wrong when it. is not. in. the district he represents;". ■

Unemployment in City. Dealing with unemployment," Mr. Parry said that the position in Auckland was going from bad to worse. "The unemployed in Auckland," he added, "are a really good class of men, and they are fitted for any kind of work. They have made it absolutely plain • that they don't want chanty, but work. They are very tolerant and exceptionally well behaved, and are ready to reason matters out. I am afraid, however, that this position can be strained if allowed to continue, and it may cause the men, out of sheer desperation, to.do things they would not dream of doing in normal times. There is a large number of single men out of work, nov one of whom I would ne afraid, to put on any kind of work They would, I feel confident, give a very good account of themselves;" Mr Parry considered Parliament should be' called together at once with the object of definitely deciding what should be done to meet present difficulties. •