UNPLEASANT TASK OVER

Evening Star, Issue 21090, 30 April 1932, Page 11

UNPLEASANT TASK OVER

THE ADJUSTMENT BILL PASSES PREMIER'S VIGOROUS DEFENCE [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, April 29. With the completion of three weeks’ concentrated discussion the National Expenditure Adjustment Bill, described by Mr Forbes as tho most difficult measure ever put through a New Zealand Parliament, passed the House tonight. The third reading was carried by 45 to 28 votes, Messrs Wright, Harris, Samuel, and Stallworthy (Coalition), and Rushworth, Wilkinson, Black, and Atmore (Independents) voting with the Labour Opposition on the final division. . The feature of tho debate was a vigorous speech by the Prime Minister in defence of the action of the Government in deliberately facing an unpleasant task, and his commendation of the members who had loyally supported him, irrespective of political repercussions. Mr Holland took the line that the measure would only prove an irritant to the economic ills from which the country was suffering. THE CRITICS, Speaking on the third reading of the Bill, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) recalled that during tho passage of the Bill some fifty divisions had taken place, and he _ contended that in some of those divisions members had voted against the pledges they had given at the General Election. He was afraid the Bill was going to prove an irritant to the economic ills from which the dominion was suffering. Mr Holland detailed the voting on tho different clauses, stating that in some cases the divisions had been very close. If members in the House had voted in tho same way as they had spoken on the hustings there would have been no reduction in pensions. Continuing, Mr Holland said that by an amendment the Government had taken power by Order in Council to render void the whole of the principles of interest and rent reductions. Mr J. Bitchener (Waitaki): Will they do it. P Mr Holland: I believe they would do anything at all. The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes); I deny it entirely. I deny it now. Mr Holland complained that pensions and salary reductions had already been made, despite the fact that legislation had not yet been passed. How did the Prime Miniter know the Bill was going to pass the Legislative Council? Mr Forbes: We are certain of it. PREMIER’S REPLY. Enthusiastic applause from all sides of tho House marked the conclusion of a vigorous speech by Mr Forbes tonight when replying. Mr Forbes declared that no other Government had tackled the situation regarding fixed charges in the way New Zealand had, and he was sure the benefit of these reductions would be reffected throughout the whole community. Not only would farmers and those with mortgages get tho benefit, but every section would feel the benefit of lowered costs. The Opposition was looking for votes and looking for popularity, and hoped that it would be able to make political capital out of the country’s plight, but they knew the Government had done the right thing. “ I want to pay a tribute to the members who are supporting the Government for the manner in which they stood by it,” he added. “ Those men will bring upon themselves disfavour, but it shows that they are men of principle and are prepared to stand by the Government in doing the right thing. I take my hat off to the man who will stand by his party. Unless men are prepared to respond to tho call they are not men, and they are not New Zealanders. What is wanted to-day are men who will do their duty, and do it fearlessly.”