STRONG ATTACK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 102, 1 May 1936, Page 9

STRONG ATTACK.

MEMBER FOR PARNELL

ISOLATED NEW ZEALAND.

CONSCRIPTION ISSUE,

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.;

WELLINGTON, Thursday,

Declaring that the last Government was blamed for the mishap to the Rangatira, all the recent hurricanes and for the All Blacks not winning the last Test 'match in Englan-l, Mr. W. P. Endean (National, Parnell) made a strong attack upon the Government s policy as disclosed in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill.

Speaking in the second reading debate this afternoon Mr. Endean referred to a statement that hc.d been made by a Government member in respect to Japan's efficiency.

Mr. Speaker: What has that to do with the Bill?

Mr. Endean: The reason why we should not have the standard of living

raised is because other parts of the world have a much lower standard than New Zealand. (Government laughter.) Continuing, Mr. Endean said that the real mistake that was being made by New Zealand was that it was isolating itself from the rest of the world. The Minister of Education, Mr. 1 laser, had made a vehement but masterly speech with his usual scholarly ability at the Empire Parliamentary Conference, but it was merely an appeal to the members of the conference to increase the purchasing power of the British public. The Government did not seem to realise that it could only get '.lark what our overseas customers would give us.

Called to Order. Mr. En dean tlicn proceeded to discuss public works, and was called to order by Mr. Speaker. * Mr. Endean: Yon liave allowed the member for Wairau to discuss public works. Mr. Speaker said that tlie member for Wairau had only made passing reference to public works. Mr. Endean contended that the system of compulsory conciliation and voluntary arbitration was the best in the interests of the Dominion. The action taken by the last Government was necessary, and he was of the opinion that the new Government was too early in its efforts to get back to the old standard. The country could not be legislated back to prosperity. For the Government the sky was the limit and the country was to go onward and upward with the brakes on. Nobody knew what would be the resu.t of that policy. It appeared that inflation would take place. Everybody was to be brought to the same level without consideration of ability, and thus a blatant state of socialism was being brought about. Before long the people would find that the cost of living had increased. Compulsory unionism was a retrograde step. Every worker was to be dragooned into a union whether he wished to join or not. He thought it would lead to disastrous results. Mr W J. Jordan (Government, Manu'kau)Did you support conscription ?

Why Not All? Mr Endean said if the Government wanted to protect • the farmer and th* worker why not make the whole nation compulsorily defend itself. Dealing with the clause providing fo a 40-hour week. Mr. -Endean asked whether it would increase efficiency. H>. answered his own query in the negative. New Zealand had to think of her competitors and the hours their peopL worked if a proper economic condition was to he maintained. _ _ Mr. Jordan: Should we follow the lower standard? . Mr Endean: I do not say that; hut we should follow a reasonable standarr. of living, having regard to our economic pO Mr O W. M. C. Denham (Government. Tnvercargill): Coolie labour? Mr. Endean: No.