PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 August 1929, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

BUDGET DEBATE CONTINUED (Special to “Star.”) WELLINGTON, Aug. 29. The Financial debate was continued in the House to-day. Mr. Wilkinson took exception to tne increase in the primage duty and said he hoped that the Prime Mimstei would say it would operate lor onij ij one year. . Mr. Massey objected to the duties being imposed through the Customs, which would hamper production or add to the cost of living. Mr Murdoch said that several niemhers of the Opposition had voted for the imposition of the original du y in 1915, since which time £5,085,424 had been collected from the duty. Dealing with general questions Mi. Wilkinson said he hoped the Prime Minister would reconsider the proposals in connection with mortgage exemptions, as if he did not do so the primary producing industry would be seriously affected. _ He urged a thorough reclassification of lands of the Dominion. He opposed the South Island main trunk railway being completed. , ... , Mr Massey advocated the establishment’ of camps on undeveloped areas where boys could be taught farming. The land tax proposals had come at an unfortunate time, and were not calculated to give confidence to investors in farm securities. While expressing a desire to assist the Government in a general way Mr. Wilkinson made it plain that he would not hesitate to vote against proposals which he considered were not m the interests of the Dominion. He expressed his sympathy with the Prime Minister in the big task he had undertaken. He was hopeful as an Independent that he would be able to give hip support to matters brought foiwaid by the Government, but he felt that ho ought to warn the Prime Minister to be careful. “I don’t think that the country generally desires a change of Government,” said Mr. Wilkinson. “I believe the people are anxious to give the United Party a fair trial, and to give them every opportunity of developing its policy. As one of the people feel that way myself. If I can possibly do it I intend to support the Government in every possible way. At the same time I must hold myself free to vote against them, if any of their proposals are not in the interests of the country.” • Mr. Atmore dealt at length with the Reform Government’s land policy, and quoted figures to show that land had been bought at too high prices, and that a'boom had been caused through the wrong policy having been adopted. He defended the Government in its scheme for completing the South Island main trunk line which he maintained would pay. Mr. Samuel replied to Mr. Atmore in satirical vein, and the debate was adjourned at 10.30. MR. POLSON CRITICISED. Severe castigation of Mr. Polson, Member for Stratford, for, betraying farmers in regard to the taxation proposals, was a feature of Mr. Samuel s speech in the House to-night. He said that he had expected to hear Mr. Polson, as President of the Farmers’ Union, denounce the Budget, but ho had said the farmer would accept what he did in the House. Why had ho betrayed the farmers and let them down? The duty of the farmers’ representative was to advocate legislation in their interests. Why had he swallowed th© taxation proposal of the Government? It would be interesting to watch the Member for Stratford in tho future.

Mr. Samuel suggested that a bargain had been driven between Mr. Polson and th© Government. It would be interesting to see who was the next Chairman of the Meat Board, or the next High Commissioner. “But I think that would be too terrible for the country,” said Mr. Samuel, amidst laughter. Mr. Polson had also stooped to make religious references, for the first time in the history of the House. Mr. Polson: Oh, rubbish.

Mr. Samuel: “Well, I am looking at it now.” (Laughter). He described the Member for Strtaford as facing both ways, a gentleman with two faces and two voices. The farmers should be thoroughly ashamed of him.

Mr. Speaker called on Mr. Samuel to withdraw that.

Mr. Samuel complied, and substituted the word “disappointed.” He said' that Mr. Polson had been a tragic joke. He came into the House as a veritable Jack-the-giant Killer on behalf of the farmers, and had deteriorated into a piece of political brie.a. brae that could not stand up between the forces of self aggrandisement and conscience. He had perished and had become instead of Jack-the-Giant Killer, Humpty Dumpty. Mr. Samuel quoted the well-known nursery rhyme, concluding, amidst laughter, with the words “Quoth the raven, newer more.”