ADDRESS-INREPLY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18430, 10 July 1925, Page 9

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

YESTERDAY'S DEBATE. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. nn&W »»» association won.) •WELLINGTON, July 0. Tbe debate on the Addrcss-in-Reply J resumed in the House of Kcproscu-

utiTH th« afternoon by „ r F Langstonc, who said , ho Government was to be •* d ' (1) L >' thcsr taxailon M is r) b y thcir social lp g islation ' ST/« by the condition of the people 5 ,hc countrv. The Government had, Z its taxation proposals, rendered the latter free of taxation. A piece of Son passe d in 1923 had reduced 2 taxable income of the country by Ler five millions sterling, and this was lot done in the interests of working farro ers because they never paid inf„t the large shoepowners whose s£} t This meant that tf the big sheepowner was relieved of £Trillions of taxation, that amount Sri to be shifted on to other shoulders gaSe it »«* a cortain ;' mmOU n t l ° rU " Jhe country no matter where it came ZL But while income-tax had been Zdneed, Customs duties had been going "L ]eaps and bounds, and every time rSZns duties increased the burden fell STtte working classes. The man with ? revenue of ten thousands sterling mid no more in Customs duties than sf, the labourer, and Labour's policy to remedy-that state of affairs was to rmt on o graduated income-tax which wnnld make the rich pay in proportion io their wealth, and relieve the Customs duties.

Mr W. J. Girling. Mr W. J. Girling (Wairau) combated the idea that Customs duties were excessive or oppressive. A reduction ot the duties on wearing apparel would only mean harm to our own woollen mLtry, which was struggling for existence. The Labour Tarty expressed contern for the workers in the woollen industrv, but they showed little regard for them when they advocated freer importation of wearing apparel. What ws had to do was to increase the production of the country. To do this we .aoold have more agricultural education, *nd he approved the Government's intention to increase tho number of agricultural instructors. While we were increasing production we must find increased markets. In this respect our best market was the Homeland. lor that reason he favoured Imperial preference, which would result m more of our imports being British goods. Too many Of the motor-cars coming into New Zealand were of, American manufacture. What we wanted were more British goods. The speaker then proceeded to advocate the completion of the South Island main trunk line, contending that it was time the Dominion was linked up by the finishing of the line between Marlborough and Canterbury, which would open up many thousands of acres of land for settlement.

Mr B. McKeen. Mr B. Mcltcen (Wellington South) denonneed the private contract as a mothod of constructing public works, instancing cases where many thousands , of. pounds had been saved by the Wellington Harbour Board and tho City Council bv day labour. Any reforms for tho betterment of the conditions of tho workers would be nullified by the private contract system. Dealing with tho cost of living, tho speaker estimated that the cost of living to-day was 20 wsr cent, higher than in 1914, and suggested that n. Commission should be appointed to go into tho wholo of the ramifications of wages, conditions, and the cost of living. Mr J. Bitcltener. Sir J. Bitchener "(Waitaki) dealt ffitfo tho wheat-growing problem', contending that while the Labour Party had adversely criticised the farmers, tljey were not able to supply any remedy, for the farmers' difficulties. Wheat-growing was not all profit. There were heavy expenses connected with it, and climatic conditions were a lareo factor in producing a. crop. IS spite of these difficulties, ho had every confidence that , New Zealand farmers would be able to produce,guffir cient.wheat to feed our own' people, as we.had some of the best land far the purpose in the world and some of the best farmer* in the world.

Labour Amendment Negatived. This was the last speech on Mr Hollands no-confidence- amendment, and at 8 p.ni. a division was called for. Before the doors were locked, tho Liberals walked out of the Chamber, Mr Poland and Mr Atmorc alono remaining on that side of the House. On tho division being taken, the Voting was:— For the amendment ... 18 Against the amendment ... 38 Those voting for tho amendment Were tho seventeen members of the 6fficial Labour Party, plus Mr Poland. Mr Atmore voted with tho Government.

Mr E. A. Eansoni. Continuing, the (debate, Mr E. A. Kansont (Paniatua) contended that th,' rich rUnholders had boon relieved o. taxation at the expense of other members of the community.. A promise that income-tax would be taken off far. jnera was mode by the late Prim?e Minister, and he honoured him for keeping his promise, but at the time the promise was mado Mr Massey did not know this country would bo saddled VMh eighty millions of war debt. It wo present Government was worth its ;*alt, it would reimpose this taxation, »nd so relievo the other sections of the community from the unfair burden they were now bearing. Ho strongly urged better use being made of the Bullions of acres of pumice lands by means of group settlements and prison Wbour. He advocated a svstem of universal pensions, and appealed to tha •Minister to do something m that &f t * on ' " 116 liad already promised. The Hon. G, J. Anderson said the actuaries were at present going into the whole question. Ho hoped tq *m*s a statement on tho eubjet this Bfe>slon.

Mr J. A. Nash denied that the Government had been indifferent to the wants of soldier settlers; no previous fcorernment had done so much for the Kan on the land, and settlers everyKnero were lull of appreciation of wliafc fiau been done for them. Dealing with toe position of B chool teachers? lie Urged.that greater consideration should oe given to teachers in tbo higher giades, and compared unfavourably the Planes paid iu New Zealand with those paid in the samo grades in Canada. Discussing the fusion quesJ on, M r Nash said fusion was the last Wung the Labour Party wanted to see, Because it would bring out a clear test Between* moderation and the extremists. ,-wany of the Labour representatives wer© candidates, and with Consolidation of tho two main Parties »n the country, it would result in several of tho Labour seats becoming Vacant, even in tho cities. What the People of New Zealand had to do was J*> fight Bolshevism and Communism, and if people were found preaching such doctrines to the detriment of tne public welfare, they should be deported.

The debate was adjourned on tho motion of Mr Lye and the House rose at p.m.