TIME FOR STUDY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 35, 10 August 1936, Page 10

TIME FOR STUDY

INTRODUCTION THIS WEEK

LAND SPECULATION

In order that the House and the country may have an opportunity of studying the provisions, the Government intends to introduce its mortgage legislation at the earliest possible moment. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) staled today fiat the Bill was practically ready, and would probably be introduced this week. It was not his intention to proceed with the measure immediately, as he desired giving everybody an opportunity of becoming conversant with its provisions.

Mr. Savage emphasised that the guaranteeing of a price for dairy farmers was only part of the plan for the rehabilitation of the dairy industry, and the whole effect of the Government's plans would not be manifest till the mortgage legislation was brought down.

Discussing the mortgage legislation generally, Mr. Savage indicated that it was not the Government's intention, after the primary producers had been restored to a normal basis, to allow conditions in the future to operate which would bring about the financial embarrassment to primary producers that had occurred in the past. One of the chief aims of the Government was to prevent land speculation, and that could be brought about by taxation. "Whatever form of taxation is necessary tn take for the community what belongs to the community will be carried into effect," he said.

Asked if it was likely that the guaranteed price for dairy produce would be extended to include other forms of primary produce, Mr. Savage said that other forms of primary produce would be . brought under • the marketing scheme as soon as possible; but that did not mean that that would ,be done this session. There was no meed to worry about wool, for in-

stance, at this stage, but other primary industries were anxious to be brought ■n and. that would be attempted as

oarly as possible. "It looks to me as If we have as much as we can carry for one session." he remarked. "We Sire.pledged to the electors and to the primary producers to guarantee prices a;nd a decent standard of living "

Asked when it was likely that the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) would be leaving for England, Mr. Savage replied that it might be in October. / Mr. Nash would be free to go as soon as the legislation he was interested in was working smoothly and his Treasury obligations were completed.