DROPPING COUNTRY QUOTA COST LABOUR SEATS, SAYS PRIME MINISTER

Evening Star, Issue 26154, 16 July 1947, Page 4

DROPPING COUNTRY QUOTA COST LABOUR SEATS, SAYS PRIME MINISTER

(Special,) WELLINGTON, July 15, No incisive criticism of Government policy had been hoard in the Address* In-Reply debate, claimed the Prime Minister, Me Eraser, in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, As for the Opposition comment on the election results, Mr Fraser said that in abolishing the country quota theGovernment oarried out a.- sound, democratic policy, regardless of, the consequences. , ■ The Government, member for Thames had lost his seat as a result,, and but for the country quota having disappeared he believed the New Plymouth seat would have been won by Labour. Mr T, J. Holyoake (Nat,, Pahiatua); If you thought, it was not, a great advantage to your party you would have refused tq introduce the Bill.

The Prime Minister retorted that he attached no importance to anything except the principle that tfiere was no political advantage in it. Answering the Opposition claim that if the Maoris sought equality with the' pakehas they should also have equality in obligations, and referring particularly to the payment of rates, Mr Fraser said that since the Labour’ Government came into office, the Maori people had measured up to their responsibilities. better than' ever before. He quoted figures which, he said, compared well with ' the pakeha returns. Among the districts mentioned was Hawera, where payments of rates bv Maoris had beep 100 ’per cent, in the last financial year. The Maoris were honouring their commitments honestly and honourably.