BUDGET DEBATE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 169, 19 July 1941, Page 6

BUDGET DEBATE

COLOURLESS TALK

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT?

(By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

Interest in the financial debate in the House of Representatives took a sudden drop yesterday, the general tenor of the speeches, which were all from the back benches, being colourless. The only outstanding feature of the debate was an exchange of opinion of the desirability of forming a National Government in New Zealand, and in this the speakers followed the lead of the opening addresses. Mr. Roy (National, Clutha) appealed to the Government to consider the disruption that was likely to follow a general election campaign. He pointed to the evidence of unity of purpose in the Home Guard and other organisations, and said that an election would bring political differences into the ranks of these co-operative bodies working for the good of the country. Mr. Williams (Government, Kaiapoi) took the opposite view, his argument being that a National Government would stifle all criticism and would consequently have an adverse effect.

The only point of interest apart [ from the debate was raised by a : question regarding a statement niade i by the Minister of Health, Mr. Nordmeyer, at Auckland. In reply the 1 acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Nash, said • that if there was going to be a National Government, or if there was going to be an election, the • announcement would be made on the floor of the House if the House , was in session. National Government In referring to the Opposition's plea for the setting up of a National Government, Mr. Thorn (Government, Thames) said that outside the British Isles there was no National Government in any part of the British Commonwealth. There was certainly not one in Australia, nor was there likely to be one. The National Government was formed in the United Kingdom under most exceptional circumstances. It was after the retreat from Norway. The British people were faced with a j calamity. Neville Chamberlain's l I policy before the war had failed, and his policy after the war had commenced had failed, and Winston Churchill had assumed the leadership. He had gained notoriety for himself by stating from the public platform that Labour was unfit to govern, but when he got his opportunity he was wise enough to admit that he could not carry on the administration unless he had with him a large number of members of the Labour party. That was the only way the Government could be certain of obtaining the co-operation of the millions of members of the trades unions and others. The nearest approach to a National administration outside Britain was the Government of New Zealand. No Enthusiasm Mr. Thorn said thkt he noticed that there was no enthusiasm among the members of the Opposition when > Mr. Nash read his Budget. "They presented a picture of misery and depression," he said. They did not seem to appreciate the Minister's statement that taxation was not to be increased, and they appeared sad when the additional social security benefits were mentioned. After criticising the speech made on the Budget by the Leader of the Opposition he asked Mr. Holland whether there was any truth in a statement he had read in a newspaper recently— Mr. Holland: What newspaper? Mr. Thorn: The "Standard." Payment of £1000 The statement was to the effect that the Leader of the Opposition was being paid £1000 a year by certain interests, plus £650 travelling expenses to keep out of the War Cabinet, Mr. Thorn continued. Mr. Holland: There is not a tittle of truth in it. Mr. Thorn: The hon. gentleman should have replied to it in the columns of the newspaper. (LaughHe went on to say that he could do nothing other than accept Mr. Holland s denial. Thousands of people must have read the statement. General Election? Complete disagreement with the < statement made by the Minister of Health in Auckland this week that he knew of nothing more calculated to split and disrupt the people than the formation of a National Government was expressed by Mr. J. A. : M ?L- Roy 'National, Clutha). He said he was both astonished and dis- i statement t0 read the Minis ter's •

ot '' t How l he T Minister can make that statement I don't know," he continued. "I personally think that there is nothing that will split and tear the country asunder more than election. (Opposition hear, nears.) I say unhesitatingly that S eleventh hour I think the Government would be very verv wise for the interests of New Zealand as a whole to reconsider the whole position." e

Mr. Roy said he knew members of who thought there would be a National Government. He refused to believe that the resolutions that had been passed up and down the c2^t n J y -.^ y certain unions represented 100 per cent of the Labour people in New Zealand. They renre sented a selfish element, which he was sorry to say appeared to be Pw mg party before country, and that was wrong.

r^f r ' illiams (Government, KaiaMr Rov leS ff the i °PP° site view to £ He . said that the Leader of the Opposition had said that his - in \? the War Cabinet would seal his hps and tie his hands but uould not a National Government have the same effect? One of tho test dangers of a National Government was that it would tie the hands and seal the lips of everybody, and in wartime, even morp than in times of peace, there was a great need for freedom to criticise