IN THE COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 11

IN THE COUNCIL

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

FURTHER SPEECHES

Continuing his speech on tho Ad-dress-in-Reply in the Legislative Counnil yesterday, the Hon. G. J. Garland expressed the opinion that, in respectto wool and mutton, bedrock had been reached, and markets were now on the upward grade. ■ He hoped for a return to normal conditions in two years. In respect to tho salary cut, ho favoured the adoption of a graduated scale. • It was time the Government prevented the undue borrowing and spending of local bodies.- The Arbitration Court must remain in order to prevent sweating, but preference to unionists should go. The Hon. E. Moore, replying to the suggestion that there should be freo importation of wheat from British possessions, said that would mean driving many farmers off the land in New Zealand. What would be the position in the event of a drought in Australia? In order to assist in bringing about normal economic conditions local bodies, as well as the Government, would have to curtail expenditure. He thought the time 'had come for doing away -with the Arbitration Court. In order that our financial conditions should be restored in tho Dominion, proposals such as those made by the Government were necessary. The Hon. A. S. Malcolm denied the truth of the statement of Sir Francis Bell that members of the Civil Service were defenceless. Far from being defenceless, there was no class of employees who were in such an amazingly strong position.* Sir Francis Bell had used a wrong expression in saying tho Civil servants were to be "taxed"— meaning that their wages were to bo readjusted. Sir Francis Bell: "I said you would masquerade economies to justify tha levy." Mr. Malcolm expressed appreciation.' of the courage of tho .Government in facing tEe position. He was sure New Zealand was determined not to drift into Australia's position. Sir Francis Bell: "Hear, hear." Mr. Malcolm said if public men in. Australia had had the courage to take Sir Otto Niemeyer's advice twelve months ago they would have avoided manyiof their .present troubles. Thesuggestion had been made that instead, of a 10 per cent, cut in salaries the additional revenue should be raised by a tax on sugar and tea. Such a proposal would meet with strong opposition.: "Instead of sneering at tho Government for carrying out their unpleasant task, we should be grateful to them, and. should give them our encouragement and support," said Mr. Malcolm. The Hon. J. Trevithick dealt with the world depression and alluded to tho increasing use of labour-saving machinery. In his judgment, the only way «r of overcoming the. present unemployment difficulty was \>y the natural process of lessening the hours of labour.

The debate was adjourned until today.