DRAGGING ON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 12

DRAGGING ON.

FINANCIAL DEBATE.

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.

ANTI-CLERICAL CRUSADE.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

W ELLINGTON, Friday,

Stock arguments that have been used on many former occasions were dragged out again to-day by speakers in the financial debate in the House of Representatives. They gladly availed themselves of tho opportunity afforded tliem of spending an hour each in haying recorded in "Hansard" material that can best be described as more suitable for electioneering purposes outside the House than for a debato on the financial policy of the Government.

The Hon. A. D. McLeod (Government.Wairarapa), who is one of the six Government members not seeking reelection, was tho first speaker and he devoted his attention mainly to praise of the Government and a general criticism of the Labour party. He was followed by Mr. J. W. Munro (Labour, Dunedin North), who referred to the speech of the Hon. W. Downie Stewart at Dunedin, and said he was wondering whether the member for Dunedin West was contemplating joining tho Labour party. He then proceeded to criticise the Government and concluded with the statement fiat in the future there would be a system of monetary reform that would end present conditions.

Sales Tax Revision. Mr. A. E. Jull (Government, Waipav.a), put in a plea for some easing of the sales tax. He said the Government could not remove the tax altogether, but business people were entitled to some consideration. They had been extremely patient and had carried a considerable load they could not pass on to the consumer. Mr. W. E; Parry (Labour, Auckland Central): Is that true? Where do you get the evidence? Mr. Jull: From one who knows. The member for Waipawa also suggested that at the earliest possible moment there should bo some substantial reduction in the 3 per cent primage duty on United Kingdom imports so as to encourage the importation of British goods. Mr. F. Jones (Labour, Dunedin South) spoke at length on the position of Queensland, asserting that that State had shown a remarkable recovery under Labour administration. Anti-Clerical Crusade.

Mr. A. J. Stallwortliy (Independent, Eden) said the Government seemed to have adopted an anti-clerical crusade and he protested against that attitude. Dealing with finance, he said it was true New Zealand had no floating debt, but there was contingent liability which might amount to millions. This was in connection wth the Mortgage Corporaton and the Reserve Bank. Liabilities had not yet dome to charge and there was the possibility of a serious loss. Soon there would be an administration conducted on sound business principles.

Ho was sorry tliat out oJF the depression so many liuman sore 9 had been made. These had an insidious influence on the physical health and mental capacity of the people, There had been unnecessary suffering owing to the economic blizzard. Young lives and their future prospects had been blighted. Iron had entered'the souls of the young people. That was not the road to happiness. There had been no equality ol Kacrifice. Forty-one thousand farmers had had to compound with their creditors and 53,000 men were on relief or receiving sustenance. In 1032 tlie Government recltffced the salaries, of civil servants. ; Mr. J. A. Nash ,(Government, Palmerston): But J you' voted for it. Equality of Sacrifice.

Mr. Stallwofthy said that while the ordinary civil > servant was beiiig subjected to salary reductions, appointments had been made over the farming legislation antl commissions,, officers being • appointed with salaries of £5000, £2000 and -£1500 a year. 'Was that equality of sacrifice? he asked. Referring jCo" the raising of 'the rale of exchange; ■' Mr.', Stall worthy said the Prime Minister. had endeavoured, to justify what he (Mr. V sidered was an . outrageous-' proceeding. It was indisputable that the Prime Minister in November, 1932, on behalf of the Government, had informed the country that the rate of exchange would not be raised. He had said it was a question for the banks to decide. The directorate of the Bank of New Zealand had then said it was not; 4he 'business of the banks to adjust the , exchange rate, nor should the banks he influenced by the rates in other countries. but by the demand for money between the •Domiriioil and other countries. Ciibihet had coerced the banks to do som'ethirtg that they had announced was inimical to the interests of the country. The public would never forget what had been clone, and the less the Prime Minister said on the matter the better. - ' . • Farmers Robbed.". - : ,' , Mr. IX W. C'oleiuan (Labour,: Qisborne)'asserted that the legislation and administration of the Government had robbed the farmers of benefits they should have obtained. 1 -They wanted incomes and not charity. The opposjte view was expressed liy Mr. •J. Broadfoofc '; (Government', Waitomo), who declared that the policy the Government had carried out had cushioned the shock of' the 'collapse of world prices against the, farmer, in contrast with the Labour party, which was merely making a number of nebulous promises. lie extended a hearty invitation to Mr. Parry, who" was inter?, jecting at the time, to inake a trip into the Waitomo electorate, where he would, find that the policy'6f'the Labour party was not wanted. - 1 In Praise of Relief Workers;' In discussing the,nmcmpiov, merit problem, Mr. Broadfoot referred t;p an experience in his own district Wbei'c. a'bqdy of young men came from Arickland t and, instead of going on relief works, wore paid 10/0 a day on road work front Waitomo Caves- to Lemon Ppint. .Their ganger had told him repeatedly that : he had never had a better gang working for him. He urged the Government to realise that it had a greater responsibility to married men as far as wages were concerned compared to single men. Since the debate opened there have been 20 speakers, 12 Government, 1"> Labour and two Independents.