IN THE COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 4, 5 July 1928, Page 8

IN THE COUNCIL

FIRST SPEECHES ' The Address in Eeply debate in the Legislative Council, which was commenced yesterday afternoon and is expected to conclude towards the end of the present week, was contributed to yesterday by three speakers, including the mover and seconder. Continuing his remarks in support of his motion after "The Post' 5 weat to press, the Eight Hon. Sir Bobert Stout commended the action of the Government in regard to loan flotations, and pointed out the more favourable I rate of interest obtained by New Zealand as compared with Australian States. !It was said we were in diro distress for want of momy, and that a State bank was necessary. -I* the farmers wanted a bank there was nothing to stop them from setting one up, but they did not appear to realise the risks of such an undertaking, or that the Bank of New Zealand was practically a State bank, for the Government practically held a half-interest in that institution. Sir Robert contended that a State bank would give no relief, either to the farmers or to the general community, because it could not raise money any more cheaply than the other banks. The Government was blamed for the fact that some people had no money to tide them over the period of unemployment; the Government could not be held responsible for that. The trouble, it was perfectly plain, was caused by the spin's own ''xtravagance. LIQUOR AND PICTURES. Dealing with Licensing, Sir Robert said none had a right to make it a party matter. It was not a party question. Discussing it as such, Sir Robert said it could not be said we had no money in circulation, for the figures illustrating the consumption of liquor showed otherwise. Moreover, extravagance in expenditure on liquor ras responsible for crime and social evils. The farmers who declared they wanted money should do as had been done in the United States, and vote Prohibition; money Bpent on liquor would then be released for expenditure for more useful purposes. The speaker alsb condemned extravagance in expenditure at the cinemas. lie had scon thousands of young women at picture shows—young woii.en who should be at home sewing. He also deplored drinking amongst women, and advocated the simple ltfe as a means of making money available IV more necessary expenditure. There was need for the encouragement of thrift in the community. If Is per week was placed to the credit of a child from birth, and the payment was kept up after the child came of age, at the age of 60 years he would have £883 18s standing to his credit, interest calculated at 5 per cent. If thrift were practised in that way it would not bo necessary to borrow overseas, while the people would bo provided for against the rainy day. In seconding the motion, tho Hon. G.

Witty .referred to tho manner in which the Governor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson had travelled in New Zealand, and remarked that it was a pity the people generally did not travel more about the Dominion. Touching on tho Samoan question, he expressed the opinion that no military man should be set over such a people, who required to be governed with tact and by quiet discipline. He trusted there would be more visits to the Dominions such as that of Mr. Amery, for they were of great value in promoting Empire trade. Mr. Witty emphasised the importance of scientific research, and turning to the intermediate rural credits scheme said he doubted whether it would be successful, as farmers could not bo expected to disclose their own accounts, which the scheme required. Congratulating the Government on the surplus for the past year, the speaker remarked that New Zealand was in a different position from her neighbours across the Tasman Sea. On© heard criticism of the size of the Public Debt, but New Zealand was a new country, and large sums had had to be spent in initial de-' velopment work. He justified the large expenditure on State Advances, and said we were not losing a single penny of that money, and he also instanced the good assets the country had in its railways, in the.post and telegraph system, and other interest-bearing concerns. Even the War Debt could not bo said to have been incurred wrongly, for we had done our part to the Empire. Mr. Witty condemned over-bor-rowing by local bodies, and referred to the enormous rates which had to be struck. The recent industrial conference had done, and would yet do, a great deal of good. Touching on unemployment, he said he had seen far worse conditions than .existed to-day. If the men had more grit and would only go out into the country, away from the towns, they would be able to obtain employment. In the old days the unemployed went rabbiting, and were able to maintain themselves. He deplored the attitude of those who would not work themselves and would ot let others work, but expressed sympa/thy for those unemployed who were physically unable to work. The man who declared he would sooner starve than accept reduced wages should be allowed to starve. Mr. Witty said he supported Sir Eobert Stout in his remarks concerning the need for thrift. UNIT-" IN EMPIRE. The Hon. Sir John Sinclair supported the movement initiated in the United States for world peace, which had always been an ideal with our people. The growing movement for" conferences in industrial matters had his cordial support. Ho also thought that Imperial trade should be fostered, as it was necessary ;hat our people should get closer together in their trade relationships. Referring to the visit of Mr. Amery Sir John Sinclair dwelt on the importance of unity of the Empire, and said he looked to the day ..when machinery would be set up to deal with the question of bringing about greater Imperial co-operation. He hoped New Zealand would adhere to the old system of Imperial communications, as the new system adopted at the Imperial Conference tended to weaken the Empire. (Hear, hear.) The depression experienced in New Zealand had been due to a loss in the purchasing power of Britain, which was our best market, and it was wrong to criticise the Gbvernment and say that it was responsible. It was gratifying to note that_ trade and industrial conditions were improving at Home, and there would be a quicker recovery if people would only buy goods produced within the Empire. We should trade with our own people, and if such a movement could be fostered by readjustment of tariffs, thenit should have consideration. " In. this connection, h© cordially supported the functions of the Empire Marketing Board. If the conferences for peace in industry now taking place at Home wore successful, they, too, would help towards bringing about stability in trade. The National Industrial Conference in' New. Zealand,. though it .did not agree on one important subject, had achieved nothing but good. It was of tho utmost importance to promote goodwill in industry. On the motion of the Hon. W. H. Triggs tho debate was adjourned at 4.35 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-day.