UNREST IN SPAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1931, Page 9

UNREST IN SPAIN

EPIDEMIC OF STRIKES

COMMUNIST ACTIVITY

ATTACK ON CHUKCH

(United Press Association—By Electric Tele.

graph—Copyright.) (Times Cable.)

(Received 14th October, 10 a.m.) LONDON, 13th October. "The Times' " Madrid correspondent says that there is widespread unrest in Spain, including an epidemic of general strikes with renewed agitation against the clergy. This has compelled the Foreign Minister, Senor Lerroux, to abandon his visit to Geneva, where he was to have presided over the League Council dealing with the Japan-China trouble.

Red bills have been posted on convents, one reading: "Citizens! The Socialist Minority calls on your enthusiasm to put an end to religious tyranny." Another asserts that the priests are supporting the banks against the socialisation of riches. Simultaneously, the word is passing round that the Civil Guard will not interfere with those attacking convents or members of religious orders. The Civil Governor of Granada reports a general strike there of a revolutionary character.

come. A farmer might have a private income of £1000 a year, and lose £1000 on his farm, yet he was called upon to pay income-tax on the £1000.

Referring to the General Election, Mr. Wilkinson said he did not think tho programme put before the House by the Coalition Government was of sufficient importance to justify any delay in connection with the election. I believe that the election should take place at the ordinary time. There is nothing drastic enough in the Government's programme to justify a postponement. DEBT CONVERSION.

Mr. W. Nash (Labour, Hutt) said that the Statement was in natural accord with the policy of the Eeform Party, which was defeated at the polls in 1928. Every one of Sir Joseph Ward's policies had been thrown out by the present Government. The Minister of Finance had stated that the average rate of interest on tho internal debt was 4A per cent., but he did not state that about half of the total internal indebtedness was carrying less than 4 per. cent. This meant that about 50 per cent, of tho debt might be easily converted at a lower rate. The Minister had stated that the country could still pay its debts, but it could not meet its debt to the unemployed workers of the Dominion, and the destitute workers wore more in need than tho people to whom interest was being paid. Even if interest was reduced by from Ito J i per cent, and tho Stato, as tho biggest mortgagor, had also to reduce, there would be a double advantage. The ultimate result would bo that both the State and the private borrower would gain. There were certainly difficulties in the way of reducing interest, but the result would more than .iustify tho step being taken. Mr. Nash, said that tho repeal of the graduated landtax meant a remission of taxation to the big land-owner. The Minister had contended that the reducing of interest would drivo investment money away, but as State bonds and land were tho safest investments, ho (Mr. Nash) could not see the force of this argument. The Minister had said that as interest could not be reduced it was only right /that the bondholders should bo taxed, but the first thing ho did was to remit a portion of the tax. It was implied in the Supplementary Budget that tho National Industrial Conference had been in favour of the repeal of compulsory arbitration, but that was not so. The workers' representatives at the conference had opposed the suggestion of voluntary arbitration.

Tho Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart): "Are you sure?" Mr. Nash: "Yes, I was there. I was one of tho workers' representatives."

He said that unless something was done quickly to relieve the widespread distress trouble of a nature not wanted in this country -would result. In the Hutt at the present time single men were receiving one day's work per week, equivalent to 9s per week. Mr. J. A. Nash (Government, Palmerston North): "How many days are tho married men getting1?" Mr. Nash: "Two days. A married man with two children gets 25s per week for three weeks out of four."

Mr. B. Semple (Labour, Wellington East): "Scandalous." Mr. Nash said the charges which were now being made on the community -were too high in comparison with the price of our primary products, and if iutcrest charges were maintained there would be less money for the employment of workers. Mr. Fash pressed for details of the Government economics, and stated that the insurance companies would not be bearing an equitable share of taxation. There was no need for any further burden to be placed on the backs of the workers. Ho hoped that the Government would at least see that no one went short of food, clothing, and shelter. TAX ON OIL. Mr. J. O'Brien (Labour, Westland) said that coal miners were out of work because of the imported crude oil which was taking the place of our own fuel, and he askod why the oil was not taxed. If sufficient protection was given to the box-making industry, employment could bo found for 1000 meu in a few weeks. He pleaded for the encouragement of tho gold-mining industry, and contended that a. reduction in interest rates would bo more valuable to the farmer than. £100,000 worth or! fertilisers. SANCTITY OF CONTRACT. Mr. A. Harris (Government, Waitemata) congratulated the Government on refusing to listen to the proposals for a reduction, of interest rates. Mr. I. Eraser (Labour, Wellington Central): "Would you oppose a voluntary reduction?" Mr. Harris: "As long as it was not semi-compulsory, as was the case in Australia." He said that it was only right that tho State should preserve the sanctity of contract and anything in the nature of repudiation would be a fatal blow to the Dominion.

Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour, Auckland Central): "Does that apply to Arbitration Court awards also?"

Mr. Harris said that the increase in income-tax would be a heavy burden, and it was doubtful whether the taxation increases wero justified, even in a state of emergency. Once these taxes were imposed it was very difficult to lift them, and he hoped that the proposed economies in Government expenditure would be very real. There was no doubt that the heaviest sacrifice was being asked from people with moderate income?.

Tlic debate was adjourned until to diiy.