QUALIFIED SUPPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 10

QUALIFIED SUPPORT

FOll FINANCE BILL

REFORM WHIP CRITICAL

Many points of difference with the Government's i^olicy and with the proposals contained in the Finance Bill were raised by the senior Beforin Whip, Mi. J. A. Nash, in the House of Representatives last night, in explaining his attitude towards the Government's emergency proposals. Mr. Nash said that the country's finances had been steadily going back over since the Government came into office. It was a policy of drift, drift, drift. It had been said the Government was following a policy of "borrow, boom, and burst." "Well," he added, "all that has como to pass." He referred to the Government's borrowing policy, and criticised the prosecution of the South Island Main Trunk line, notwithstanding the prevailing depression and the state of the country's finances. Without doubt, the line would be a big loss to the country. Discussing the unemployment scheme, he commented on the fact that the full rate of 14s was being paid for relief work, while industries were languishing for want of assistance. He instanced the flax industry. The policy of paying the full rate for relief works was wrong. In other respects, ho admitted that the Unemployment Board was doing good work. Mr. Nash asked what the Government was going to do in respect to the cost of living? The Government was responsible for the present; position, iind had done nothing to stem the tide. COST-OF-LIVING SEDUCTION. "I am not prepared to accept the proposals in the Bill," said Mr. Nash, "unless it can be shown that we are going to have a reduction in the cost of living and that some action is going to be taken in connection with it. The Prime Minister has pointed out that there has been o a small reduction in the cost of living, but that has been due principally to the low prices for our primary products, and if we have got to keep our products down to the present rates it simply meana that the farmer will be done for." Labour voices: "Hear, bear." "I am sure no one in this country is desirous of seeing the farmers kept in the position they are in to-day in regard to their products," said Mr. Nash, "and that they want to see the prices increased. If the prices are increased, up will again go the cost of living. Therefore I want to know whut the Government is prepared to do by way of reducing the cost of living." UNFAIR TO CIVIL SERVANTS. Mr. Nash said he was no in accord with the proposal that the Civil servant should be singled out for a 10 per cent. cut. He was asked to pay more than the ordinary man paid by way of income tax. There was no provision for a graduated scale, and linw was it possible for a man earning £3 10 a week in the Public Service to afford a 10 per cent, cut.? As rent in Wellington was at least 355, what would there be left for him? It would be impossible for him to stand up. If a cut was unavoidable, then let it be on ability to pay. He was quite sure the Civil servants would not have the slightest objection. They would be prepared to contribute their share, but it was not right that they should be singled out. Mr. Nash suggested that an increase in the primage duty would serve to produce extra revenue. It was done by the Government previously, and the Labour Party did not raise objection. REVISION PROVISO. " I hope if the Bill is passed into law," said Mr. Nash, "that a tribunal will be provided for to deal with hardship, and, further, that a revision will be provided for within at least two years." There could be no doubt that the Government had brought about the present serious position througli its own recklessness —probably as the result of its inexperience. He sincerely hoped, however, that some other means of rectifying the position would be found than that proposed, and that the Government would not take advantage of the Civil Service.