LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 26

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

DEBATE CONCLUDED [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 21. When the Legislative Council met at 10.30 to-day, the Address-in-Re-ply debate was continued by the Hon. E. I)ye, who said that as a farmer ije could say that costs had not removed the benefiit of the guaranteed price. Farming costs had gone up because farmers had the advantage of electricity, ears, radios, and other amenities, but they could not expect to have those at the old costs. He quoted figures to show that the dairy farmers were receiving a higher percentages of return from their produce and that factory costs had been reduced. Hon. F. E. Lark, defended the Government’s policy and said that the people were better off than previously in spite of what the Opposition claimed. He denied that there was any Communistic menace in New Zealand. Hon. R. Mawhete expressed concern at the increased drinking among Maoris and said that some were spending their additional earnings on liquor; He announced that a conference would be held next month to discuss the problem, and he expressed the. hope that something could be done to remedy the position. He appealed to the Government to give more opportunities to all Maori youths in administrative positions. , , , Hon. F. E. O’Flynn said ho did not agree that New Zealand was likely to be invaded, but he considered the Government should raise a citizen army and train the people against the possibility of air attach. _ He advocated more Maori teachers in the Maori schools. . The Leader of the Council (Hon. E>. Wilson) defended the Government’s policy and denied that the country was in difficulties. The shortage of London funds was due to a number of causes that could not he avoided, and there was no financial problem within New Zealand that could not be overcome. New Zealand was prosperous commercially, and there had never been fewer empty shops in the towns. The sales tax was realising more revenue than ever before, and for the first five months of this year the returns had increased by over 9 per cent, compared with the same- period a year ago. The number of bankruptcies had only once been lower in the last 60 years. Industrially, New Zealand was far in advance of any previous period, and the manufacturers had orders for months ahead. The result of that was that factories were being enlarged, more were being built, and there was a shortage of skilled workers. The best answer to criticism was the results of Labour’s policy since 1935. The amount paid in salaries pnd wages had increased by 68 per cent., wage rates had increased by 27.9 per cent, and the cost of living by 13.4 per cent. That showed that real wages were up by 14.4 per cent., and that more money was being earned by more people. Hon. T. J. Dovle replied to the debate and the Address-in-Reply motion was carried.

Tlio Council adjourned at 5.5 p.in until August IG.