PROMISES NOT LAW

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1938, Page 24

PROMISES NOT LAW

FARMERS REALISE POSITION

The Socialist leaders were making an attempt to create a third source of law in New Zealand, said Mr. O. C. Mazengarb, National candidate for Wellington Suburbs, at Day's Bay last night. The two main sources of law in all English-speaking countries were the Statutes of Parliament and the decisions which Judges gave from time to time on the Common Law and the Statute Law. An attempt was being made to introduce as a third source of law the statements made by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, in Parliament or on the hustings. It was plain that the Social Security Act provided for the taxation of pensioners and for the collection of a fee of 5s from children over 16 years of age whether they were working or not. Mr. Nash would not have the people look at the Statute for their legal obligations. He had turned up a statement of his in Hansard from which he said he had made it clear that pensioner's were not to be taxed.

The Primary Produce Marketing Act, again, had been so drawn as to enable the Minister to increase or reduce the price during any season. The farmers were wise to that. They had been saying that although a higher price was fixed for them some weeks ago, that might be reduced after the election to affect all butter that had not actually been received on board vessels for shipment abroad. That indeed was the law.

"But Mr. Nash says in reply that be won't do that," continued Mr. Mazengarb. "Why did he take power to reduce the guaranteed price if he did not intend to exercise that power?" asked Mr. Mazengarb. The Court would say to fanners, to pensioners, and parents of children who relied on the promises of Mr. Nash that they were to be relieved from certain Statutory obligations: "Depart. The Court only knows what is printed in the Statute and cannot allow you to tell it what Mr. Nash and Mr. Savage have said, even although their statements are recorded in Hansard." The electors had had a sorry experience of the futility of relying on the platform promises of the Prime Minister about tlie sales tax, the rate of exchange, and other things.

An audience of 400 greeted Mr. Mazengarb enthusiastically, and joined with the Hon. A. Hamilton's audience in singing the relayed National Anthem

and in cheers for the Leader of the Opposition. Mrs. Mazengarb received fifteen floral tributes.