PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 July 1941, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

'BUDGET SPEECHES CONTINUED,

WELLINGTON, July 29. I The new Member for Waitemata, |Mrs M. M. Dreaver (Government), who was elected at the recent byelection to fill the vacancy caused by the death in action of Captain Lyon, was sworn in when the House met at 2.30 to-day. Her sponsors-were the Government Whips, Messrs J. O’Brien (Westland) and A. G. Richards (Roskill). The price paid by the British Government to New Zealand and Australia for cheese manufactured in those countries, was raised in an urgent question by Mr C. A-. Wilkinson (Ind., Egmont) to the Minister of Marketing, Mr Barclay. Mr Wilkinson asked if the New Zealand GovI ment were aware that a statement had been made by a member of the Australian Dairy Board to the effect that he could advise the industry that it was confidently anticipated that the British Government would grant an increase- in the price of cheese to Australia of 5/9 per cwt. IVIr Wilkinson also asked how, in the event of an extra price being paid to New Zealand, would the Government propose to deal with it in the way of distribution to farmers. The Minister, in reply, said that no official announcement had yet been made by the Australian Government on the matter. However, negotiations between Britain and New Zealand were not yet completed, but if such an increase were given to Australia, the New Zealand Government was confident of a similar increase to be given' to New Zealand. Tne Minister added that if an increased price were paid by Britain of 5/9 per cwt., it would barely cover liabilities which had been accepted by tne New Zealand Government. When negotiations were completed, a piibhc announcement would be made, and if any increase were given, it would be considered in relation to the whole question of the change-over from buttel’ to cheese and the additional costs in this connection. . The Wanganui Harbour District and Empowering Amendment Bill was introduced by Mr J. Hodgens (Govt., Palmerston North), on behalf of Mr J. B. F. Cotterill (Government, Wanganui). „ ~ The introduction of the measuie was opposed by Messrs W. J. Polson (National, Stratford), Dickie, and Hon. J. B. Cobbe (National, Manawatu), who contended that the Bill was designed to place an unfair burden of rates on country districts surrounding Wanganui compared with rates paid in the town district itself. The Bill, however, was read the first time, and was referred to the Local Bills Committee. Continuing the Budget debate, Mi L. Carr (Government, Timaru), sneaking o£ the I'ehabilitation of men coming back from the present war said that everything possible must be done for them, and they must not be allowed to buy land at double or treble its value, as had happened alter the last war, and he commended, as a start, the present Government s policy in the Small Farms Act. Mr J. W. Munro (Government, Dunedin North) said that all the Budgets that had been brought down by the present Minister of Finance, had defeated criticism. He felt sorry for the Opposition, for he realised that they had to put up some sort of a debate, but he also recognised that this was mostly camouflage. It would always be found that the Opposition would run away, as they had done on this occasion. The real party m opposition was outside the House, and it consisted of a clique representing, vested interests.

Mr H. E. Combs (Government, Wellington Suburbs), declared that the forty-hour week stood unassailed, and those who were asking for extended hours were doing so only m order to make greater profits. He appealed for more consideration for the workers who were working extended hours. It would pay the members of the Chambers of Commerce, who railed at the workers lor asking extra pay for extra hours, to study the problem so that they might be better occupied in devising ways for men to get proper meals and rest. All credit was due to the men who answered the call lor extra hours, and, instead of giving them abuse, the members of the Chambers of Commerce should trv to be fair t o them.

Mr C. A. Wilkinson expressed a hope that when the Prime Minister ' returned to New Zealand he would declare an end to all party government for the duration of the war. He

expressed the opinion that there had been a determined effort by Members of the Government to prevent a fu- i sion of the two Parties. The war situation was getting more serious daily, he said, and yet Parliament had s toyed and played with things that did not matter. The fact that in this war it was necessary for the Dominion to prepare for emergencies, was another reason why they should pause in their domestic strife. As an Independent, without any particular Partv bias, he made that appeal. Mr Wilkinson asked the Government if it thought a general election would confirm it in office. He would remind the Labour Party that an election was a most uncertain thing at the present i time. He criticised the Budget, stat-j ins it made provision for too many ■ items other -than those connected with war. For instance, twemy million pounds had been spent on Public Works last year, and it was proposed that a similar amount should be spent this year. Replying to Government interjections as to what he would cut out, Mi Wilkinson said he would cut out the South Island main trunk line. He asserted the line would be of little use when completed. '