POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20274, 27 June 1931, Page 16

POLITICAL NOTES

[Frto.u Our Paklume.vtart CoRF.EsroNDZXT.] WELLINGTON, Juno' 26. Virtue iu Spending. 1 "It is all very well to urge economy in not purchasing foreign goods, but it is nothing short of maniacal to induce people to adopt a policy of strict economy when there is a possibility of stimulating the purchase of our own goods and employing our own labour,-' declared Mr A. M. Samuel (R., Thames); in the House to-night, in dealing with New Zealand's credit in London. People who had money to spend should be urged to spend it. He urged the Government to preach a doctrine of optimism and spending among those who eould afford it as a substantial step toward the return to normal conditions. Unemployed and Bents. The danger of conflict between authorities and relief workers under the threat of eviction was mentioned by Mr W. E. Parry (Lab., Auckland Central), when discussing unemployment relief in the House to-day. He expressed a hope that the Government would subsidise Hospital Boards to make it possible for them to assist those unemployed and unable to pay their rents in a similar manner to the payments for groceries. This would prevent evictions and possible trouble. Loans for Belief Work. What is the attitude of the Local Government Loans Board toward local bodies raising further money for unemployment, asked Mr Sullivan, who, as Mayor of Christchurch is seeking a loan of £39,500, addressing the Prime Minister in the House to-day during the short discussion upon the extension of local bodies' powers of borrowing for relief purposes. Mr Forbes (smiling): 1 understand the member has special interest in asking that question. Mr Sullivan: That is so. The Prime Minister: The Board will deal with any objection raised. Mr Sullivan: Oh, there is only one objection to us, the Chamber of Commerce, which does not count much. Disease Infected Barley. The danger of imported disease infected barley flooding tho New Zealand market was raised by Mr D. Jones (R.> Mid-Canterbury), in the House this evening, when he taxed the Agricultural Department with lack of diligence. Authorities agreed that smut could be eradicated if a real effort were made, ho said. Large areas in Canterbury were being planted with disease free barley. The loss from smut was sometimes 30 per cent, of the crops, yet the Minister for Agriculture held that it would not matter if smut were introduced, for it could be cured. It might be said that it would not matter if diphtheria were brought into the Dominion, for it could be cured. Farmers ought to be protected against, disease in every sense. No barley should be brought into New Zealand unless free from smut. Australia was sending large quantities of weed infested chaff is to New Zealand, and great trouble was caused. Canterbury was not satisfied with the reply s of the Minister for Agriculture concerning barley. Far from help from the Government, as far as agricultural pursuits were concerned. Canterbury had lately received nothing but hindrance. The Unemployment Bill. Tho Government hoped originally to bring the Unemployment Bill down today so that members could peruse it over the week-end, and the second reading debate could be taken en Tuesday. ,Mr Forbes announced in the House to-day, however, that drafting and other difficulties had been encountered, and now it would be impossible to prepare the measure before when the Bill would be introduced. '» ' T Interest Bates. Considerable pressure is being brought to bear upon the Government for bringing about a revision of interest rates in order to encourage the freer use of money and so to assist productive industry. Representatives of financial interests have already conferred with Mr Forbes with a view to securing a lead from the Government, the opinion being held that a move by the. State is a first essential towards the desired end. Mr Forbes said to-night that the question is under consideration by the Government, but he is not in a position to make a definite announcement. A further conference with all financial interests is expected shortly. Hospital Boards' Funds. An appeal to the Minister for Health to make more money available to Hospital Boards in order to enable Ahem to cope with demands for the relief of distress was made by Mr D. G. Sullivan in the House this evening. He said it was essential that the Minister should face the necessity of making more adequate provision for Boards, which were finding it impossible to, nicer the increasingly difficult position. In his position of Mayor of Christchurch he was visited by about 70 persons daily who wanted food and clothing, and in many instances these had found the Hospital Board could do nothing for them. Even with the financial position of the country as it existed, the Government could not avoid responsibility for preventing distress. The Hon. A. J. Stallworthy: Do you suggest that the Canterbury Hospital Board has spent the whole o£ this year's allocation for outdoor relieff MP Sullivan said the allocation would be exhausted within a very short time. He was given to understand that t heBoard was spending twice as much as had been estimated would be required for outdoor relief. '*