MR FRASER SUMS UP

Evening Star, Issue 23353, 24 August 1939, Page 3

MR FRASER SUMS UP

BUDGET FAVOURABLY RECEIVED " MESS MOT REPRESENTATIVE OF PEOPLE " [From Odr Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 23. Summing up the Financial Debate, the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in the House ignored for the moment the fortnight’s Parliamentary criticism and declared that the Budget had been most favourably received by the country. He conceded that nobody expected that increased taxation would be popular, and the Government expected the usual number of protest resolutions to arrive, but the number was surprisingly small. The reason in his opinion was that the people of the country by a vast majority were in favour of the increased social services they were enjoying. They also realised, and never more than, at this moment, that the question of defence had to he faced up to, and that extra money was required and extra taxation inevitable. There had been general acquiescence as far as the public were concerned. “ If we separate the Press from the people,” continued Mr Fraser. “ the last two elections have proved quite conclusively that the Press has not necessarily (indeed, hardly ever has] represented the people of the country.” “ What your own critics? ” asked an Opposition member. “ There is no difference so far as the Government’s policy is concerned,” retorted Mr Fraser.' “ and there is no difference so far as the Labour Party

is concerned, and little difference between the member for Grey Lynn.” Mr Holland (National, Christchurch North) : What’s the fight about, then ? Mr Fraser went on to declare that the Government held up no foolish illusions by way of manipulation of currency that it could do wonderful things* but it did believe that by effective use of the social, financial, and economic organism, the country’s prosperity could be promoted. There was, of course, a third way, the way of the Opposition, which believed the Government had gone too far, though it omitted to say in what direction it had gone too far. However, the debate had at least broken through the hedge of the Opposition in that respect, for on various occasions they had said they did not want to reduce, wages, social services, or pensions, and they did not want to increase the working day. This had been plainly stated by the member for Christchurch North. Mr Holland: Do you agree with him?

Mr Fraser: Certainly, but the member for Tvaipara said definitely that the 40-hour week must go, and the member for Pahiatna is backing him up, while the member for Christchurch North snipes at both. (Labour laughter.) He went on to suggest that the speeches on the other side showed that the party would he a depressionist party, holding out no hope for the advancement of the people.