POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 23349, 19 August 1939, Page 28

POLITICAL POINTS

PROTRACTED BUDGET DEBATE CRITICISM OF HIGH COMMISSIONER j [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON-, August 38. Completing its third week yesterday, the debate on the Budget was unfinished when the House of Representatives rose for the week-end. The proceedings were bereft of the highlights I that marked the trend of the discussions earlier in the week, but there are indications that the phases of the debate still to come will produce more excitement. The discussion will be resumed on Tuesday afternoon. The members of the Opposition, who have been vigorous in their criticism of the Budget, appear to possess an ample supply of reserve ammunition, which they are eager to use. When the two leaders were discussing plans for the coming week, it was obvious that each was endeavouring to call the other’s hand. The Leader of the Opposition. Mr Hamilton, asked when it was intended to discuss the Finance Bill, and the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, replied that this would depend on tho completion of trite Budget debate. He was hoping this could bo achieved on Tuesday. Mr Hamilton then made the 1 helpful suggestion that the Whips could arrange that procedure. Mr Fraser’s response was that if thus could bo done, tho discussion on the Finance Bill could be taken on Wednesday. Ho regarded this as urgent. * * * * “ I believe that in the long run the gangster raids on our overseas funds will prove a blessing in disguise,” declared Mr Osborne (Government, Onehunga), in the House. He added that New Zealand would be forced to direct more and more attention to the development of its own resources. It was gradually becoming recognised that the future of this country rested in an intense expansion of industry. New Zealand should adopt the philosophy of building New Zealand for New Zealanders, said Mr Osborne, not for the overseas bondholders. Mr Broadfoot: Will you build a navy, tool* Mr Osborne: You were nearly built out in UKIB. You will go altogether nest time. Mr Broadfoot: I ashed if you intended to build a navy. .Mr Osborne; This Govcniinoiit has shown a greater sense of responsibility

towards the defence of the country than any Government that preceded it. Mr Broadfoot: A Socialist Government nearly ruined the British Navy. Declining to go any further on this, line of argument, Mr Osborne said it was necessary to establish manufacturing industries in New Zealand to absorb the thousands of'young people who passed out of tho educational institutions every year to take their place in the service of the community. For that reason he welcomed the reference in the Budget to the Government’s determination to expand and develop industry. * * * « Vigorous criticism of the part played at Genova by the High Commissioner for Now Zealand in London, Mr Jordan, was expressed by Mr Dickie (National, Pa tea) during his speech in the financial debate. He recalled the statement attributed to Mr Jordan before he left New Zealand that if he had his way not a man or a ship would leave the Dominion fn the event of war. The Acting Leader of the House (Air Fraser) : That is entirely incorrect. Mr Dickie: Mr Jordan has been more of a hindrance than a help at Geneva. So far as his actions there are concerned New Zealand would have been better off out of the League altogether. Ho has been a nuisance to Britain both as to sanctions and collective security. Mr Poison ; The joke of Europe. “ I deprecate entirely the statements which emanated from the Chairman of Committees (Mr A!‘Keen) and the member for Timaru,” Mr Dickie declared. “ They savoured very strongly of disloyalty.” Air Speaker; Order! Tho lion, gentleman must not use that term. Mr Dickie; Very well. Air Speaker. I withdraw that remark and will leave the question to the House.