LEGISLATION JUSTIFIED

Evening Star, Issue 21099, 11 May 1932, Page 2

LEGISLATION JUSTIFIED

THE NEEDS OF CRITICAL TIMES LABOUR DUBIOUS OF FUTURE [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 10. During the closing ceremonies in tho House of Representatives this evening the Prime Minister (Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) said that the measures passed during the emergency session had been necessitated by critical times and had been brought down with a sincere desire to carry tho country through its difficulties. While it was impossible to prophesy, ho said, it was hoped before long that, in common with the rest of tho world, conditions in New Zealand would take a decided turn for the better. It was only by co-operation between the nations that the world’s difficulties could be solved. The most hopeful thing wo had in front of us was the fact that the question of financial rehabilitation throughout tho Empire was to bo approached in a definite way at the Ottawa Conference, and he felt confident when the conference was over that it would at least bo possible to see a little more clearly ahead as the result of an examination of the economic structure of tho whole Empire. Referring again- to the session’s legislation Mr Forbes said: “It lias been of a character that has required very careful consideration by tho Government. We have had to undo things that were done in more prosperous times. We hope we shall again arrive at a time when we shall bo able to restore what we have taken away. We are asking the people to meet inconveniences and carry the burden to assist, in overcoming tho difficulties, and i feel confident the people will do their best to enable the country to pull through.” Mr Forbes added that the Govcni-

ment did not anticipate that Parliament would be called together again before the end of September or the beginning of October. “ Wo aro coming to the end of one of the most strenuous sessions the Parliament Q_f New Zeeland has

known,” said tho Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. 15. Holland). “I am sorry 1 cannot adopt the Prime Minister’s optimistic outlook in regard to tho outcome of the legislation passed. There never has been a session when the lines of demarcation between the two opposing sections have been more clearly drawn than during the session we are now concluding, it is true the economic difficulties of the day are a world problem, but in every country ot the world people are starving in the midst of plenty. That is the tragedy and the real problem with which the Parliaments of the world have to cope. I feel very grave apprehension in regard to the coming winter. 1 am afraid that when seasonal occupations come to an end there will be more distress. In fact, I am very much afraid that this is going to be the most severe winter in the annals of New Zealand.” Mr Holland said he hoped the day was not far distant when New Zealand would be able to place in employment at adequate rates of remuneration every man and woman who was able to work. Mr M‘Combs said the Prime Minister had employed the well-worn excuse of world conditions in referring to the Government’s legislation. He considered that world conditions could not be blamed for a great deal of New Zealand’s trouble. It was the Government that was impossible. Mr Fraser said he trusted that it would be possible for the Government to announce that every family in New Zealand would in future at least be given an opportunity to obtain the minimum necessities of life.

Sir Charles Statham expressed thanks for the references which had been made to his services. He said the session had been the most strenuous he had "one thronph. He hoped the very dark days in winch the world was living would soon pass away.