EVERY CITIZEN AT WAR

Evening Star, Issue 23377, 21 September 1939, Page 8

EVERY CITIZEN AT WAR

EXPLOITATION TO BE CRUSHED SUPPLY OF UNITED KINGDOM A FIRST ESSENTIAL [From Ouh Paruamentarv Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 20. That the whole nation is at war, not only the men who might go to the front, was the Repeated declaration of the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, in the House when he emphasised that the Government would do everything possible to prevent (as he put it) people with the exploiting mind from exploiting the people who are left behind. , The war period, would be, he continued, a control period. The price paid for the commodities required by the United Kingdom would be such as would cover the cost of production. No man could have a fairer view, or could have taken more care to consult everyone with knowledge of the position than the Minister of Supplies. No wonder, said Mr Nash, that his colleague, Mr Sullivan, was indignant when accused of “Star Chamber” methods in price fixing. He had a most difficult job to ensure that the farmer got a fair price for his commodity, and that the soldier was not exploited because there was nobody to protect his dependents while the bread-winner was away. There would also be the iproblem of so many men wanting to go away when the country could not afford to let them go. Mr Coates: Can you stop them?

The Minister: Yes, I think we can, and the member for Kaipara can help us. We have to put into the minds of the people a supreme objective, and that may not be to fight overseas. We have to find out how best to help in the struggle. That may be to grow grass and provide the food required.

Stock prices of September 1 had been taken as the base, continued Mr Nash, this being a period of fairly high prices. Regard would be given to every service associated with production and continuing to produce, because provision had to be made not only for next year, but the year after.

“In fact,” said the Minister, “ the Government has taken steps to maintain production in 1942. There may be no war then, but it may be still on. It is important to keep things in the best possible form.”

He disagreed with the suggestion that stock should be sold by auction, for price fixing on that basis would be the greatest tragedy. Other people than those of the United Kingdom would want commodities, and might he prepared to pay a price which the United Kingdom could not afford. “ Will we allow it?” asked the Minister. “Of course we will not,” he declared. He was sure that a procedure could be worked out. Mr Burnett: The weather is our master.

The Minister; The weather is everybody’s master. We buy umbrellas because of it. Mr Holland (National, Christchurch North) : Can it be said that the Jaw of supply and demand will go overboard?

The Minister: Yes, in so far as the necessity of supplying the United Kingdom is concerned. Mr Burnett (National, Temuka) : Then your national production will slump. Tho Minister of Finance assured the House that, although there_ would be controllers, the final responsibility for fixing prices rested with the Minister in every case. Nobody, he stated, should get any individual advantage out of war. Millions were made in this country in the last Avar, because the soldiers were away and could do nothing. They gave all they had, and, while he did not wish to talk in an emotional strain, he would say that the Government was trying to avoid a repetition of the previous experience. Mr Kidd (National, Waitaki) ; And the soldier is to be hit again. The Minister: We ought to work out a procedure for getting on the soldier’s

basis. It does not mean cutting down! everyone to the soldier’s income. If it were practicable, seeing that the whole nation is at war, not only the Army,; Navy, and Air Force, everybody ought to do national service, and be paid according to the rates of pay given thf| soldier.

Mr J. A. Lee: Seven shillings a day* The Minister: No, there might be a, general acting as Minister of Finama on a general’s rate. Mr Coates: A very good Coipniunistia plan. The Minister: No hon. member would go away to-morrow on the soldier’s pay. Mr Lee; Why not bring the incona of the- soldier to the average income!'

Mr Speaker intervened to remar'e that this was all extremely interesting, but unfortunately it was not relevant to the Bill under discussion.

Mr Lee: You will not pile up a wap debt? The Minister: If it is possible we will run the war without adding to oup debt. We ought to do it. I would lie glad to work it out if every member would agree. A National Member: They won g agree.