MR H. HOLLAND'S VOTE.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20772, 4 February 1933, Page 19

MR H. HOLLAND'S VOTE.

ELECTION PLEDGE HONOURED. INFLATION ATTACKED. [From Ova Paßlumentahv Uki-orter.] WELLINGTON, February 3. A plain statement of his opposition to tho high exchange was made to tho House in the early hours of this morning by Mr H. Holland (C, Christchurch North). Although ho attacked inflation of this hind as burdensome and dangerous, when the division canic ho cast his vote With the Governmen baeause he felt lie should honour his election pledgo to support the Coalition. Mr Holland said that at one stage of his career he had been engaged in farming, and that farmers had always had his sympathy in the House. On this occasion, however, he represented an important city electorate, and he considered it his duty to speak for the citizens. He opposed the Bill because ':e did not think it dealt fairly, justly, or equitably with the pooplc whom he represented. Ho recalled that he had boon one of the 11 members who signed a petition to tho banks protesting against the high exchange rate. He had always been under the impression that the Government's function was to deal fairly with every section of the community, but the Bill before tho House would clearly imposo burdens on one section of tho community for the bene lit of another. "I realise that there are many farm crs in difficulties," continued Mr Holland, "and I bow to no one in my do sire to help them, but I object to helping farmers who do not need help. Under the terms of the Bill the fanner who needs assistance most will not get it, and tho man who needs it least will get it in full." Ho proeoeded to quote several instances of farmers receiving relief where they were not entitled to it. Effect on Business. Turning to tho effect on city population, he said as a member of the Lytte 1 .- ton Harbour Board that the Harbour Boards' Association had estimated an increased cost of £40,000 on account if tho high exchange. Local bodies won; being asked to keep down rates and charges, and now a tremendous burden such as this was being placed na them. The probability was that rato-i would be increased instead of decreased, aT'd the farmer would bo among those who were called upon to pay the extra levy. The farmer might receive some temporary assistance from the exchange inflation, but increased rates and taxe.- 1 and extra duties would soon cancel his benefits. He believed the higher rate would increase the number of unemployed enormously, reduce Customs revenue, increase shipping charges, since ships would have to come from England in ballast, and prove disastrous to hundreds of small business people and firms. Even among farmers, wh?-it growers were bitterly hostile to Mm high exchange, since they would have to pay increased duties on grain sacks an' other necessities. Australia •hn.l frequently been referred to as a country in which exchange inflation had succeded. He was particularly well acquainted with tho.position there, and h-2 could say that it had not been advantageous to business men. Tn any ca.-n, no parallels could be drawn between the two countries. Mr Holland referred to the breach if the spirit of o Ottawa agreement, which he said was created by the Gove'nment's decision to inflate the oxchange. After offering England payment of her share of the war debt, the Dominion now deliberately turned round and slapped tho Mother Country on boMi cheeks. It was commonly said that competition in New Zealand would prevent the irtereasj of prices that wa* feared, but he knew that competition was already so l:r- < t" ■>«■ further redo* tiona were impossible. Considering the which it conferred on farmers, Mr Holland doubted whether the Bill would ever be removed from the Statute Book '0- C,e it arrived there, lie would like to see at least some system of adjustment bv which the exchange was reduced as prices rose. "Fi'ankly Indigestible." "Frankly," lie said, "this Bill not only leaves a nasty taste in mv mouth, but it is franklv indigestible." Mr A. ,T. Stallworthy (Tnd.. Eden): Spit it out. Mr Holland ended his speech by urging upon the Government the justice of indemnifying those business men who were caught by the sudden announcement of the exchange increase. He -:l3clared that the fullest co-operation should be sought between town ami country interests, for experience had taught him that the Dominion wouH never have prosperous, thriving cities unless the country, too, was thriving. Mr Stallworthy, the next sneaker, strongly rebuked Mr Holland for denouncing the Bill ns he had without being prepared to take the courageous step and vote against it He h o a rea<l a public statement bv. Mf Holland m which he indicated that he would support the measure, yet Tie now stood up in the house and roundly condemned it. Mr Holland: T am honouring my election pledges to support the Coalition. SUPPORT FROM ASHBURTON. Tli« action of the Government, in ra sing th exchange rate was .supio tea at a meeting of tho Ashburto lowinß-motionwaa passed. and the second Mr W. G. Gallaguci decided: "That the CoanGovernment oy w con dition of tho Dominion at a result of unm'eeedctttcd 'grSrsSt" primary produce during the past three years. • Ml T-irr «aid it was not expected could not help oe fch cities> "*BK STpriSf SfniiSr has been most ruJageo- ■ y difficult condian!t W' wStSnnlMount Hutt) Jd he objected very strongly to the said ne ""-J ~l t - 9 ot nir duty to resolution. «« n , . ,f |w action Would ;' aH far reaching effect, and it «•«* the SrUnients of the Ottawa ronttiSn* Mow consideration efaotild ~. - ,«««tinff of the Mid-Cnnterbur.v At tt .mf&ftive of the New Zea- ? ro J ,n p«r»n last evening it bind I'ft" r9 endorse the'action ot was decided lo em ij|a tne es _ the Government in iaMin« une ex ch #bfAKbu'rton Agricultural and Pnst„ il im. telegraphed the Prime Sister to the same effect.