LARGER LEVY

Grey River Argus, 26 June 1931, Page 5

LARGER LEVY

| PARLIAMENT OPENS I GOVERNMENT POLICY Early Crisis Possible THE INTEREST PROBLEM. LOCAL BORROWING FOR UNEMPLOYED. (Special to Argus). WELLINGTON, June 25. 1 Parliament was opened this afte: noon. Theie was keen interest, not f [much in the “Speech from th Throne,” which was humdrum, but in the quest for an indication as to what may prove to be the upshot of this silting. The unemployment problem is naturally the foremost matter, while the matters of interest, mortgage 11 , and taxation are those which are to, figure prominently in the subject matter of the programme. The session cf Parliament which

oi ened to-day. will indeed be an intensely interesting on»c, because the political atmosphere is charged with the possibilities of a erisi s at any time during the manoeuvres which are almost sure to follow the introduction of the financial proposals later on.

■ Whe n the House met this afternoon, the Labour members were prominent in advancing questions for the consideration of the Government, questions showing a clear and fine appreciation of the economic difficulties of the countiy at tire present time. The currency question is likely Io play a part in this session’s discussi ns. ;is several of the questions were! directed along thi s line, and Mr Mason (Labour) gave notice of his intention to introduce a currency bill. Mr P. Fraser, associated with the I names of several other Labour mem- , b rs, tabled several questions relating to the hardship upon the tenants who | are threatened with eviction, and | asked for a guarantee from the Govi eminent that no drastic action will be 1 taken against the defaulting tenants until their case s have been examined before a Magistrate. Mr Fraser said that, under the present relief scheme, a married man with two children who was working three days n week for three weeks, ami was, then taking one week off compulsorily, earned £1 8s 14d weekly for the fourweekly period. ALen with three or more children getting four days weekly for three w-eeks and then standing down one week made £1 17s fid week . lv for the four-weekly period. Replying to Mr Parry, Mr Forbes said that the question of increasing the Hospital Board subsidies with the \ :ew of meeting the acute distress in the cities would be dealt with in the budget proposals. Mr Parry. Bui do you realise the' urgency of it? The cities are suffering terrib'y through the lack of chari-' table funds. Mr Forbes: The Government is watching that. Mr Lee Martin tabled a question seeking cheaper fertilisers for the farmers. Mr Munro wanted the overdraft rates at the banks reduced. Each question was greeted by Labour “hear hears/’ and then a shout ol’ laughter was heard when Mr H. T. Armstrong solemnly gave notice to introduce his Gaming Amendment B’dl. i The House sits at 2.30 p.m. to-mor-r w. when the Local Bodie s Relief of Unemployment Bill will be brought down for the extension of the borrowing powers of local bodies tor the relief of unemployment. An Imprest Supply Bill wi I also be I.lought down, and both these nieiu-j ures will be accorded urgency, which means that the House will sit till both! are passed. Much is likely to be heard, particularly from the Labour benches, about I tho unemployment, a’ld about the Gov- < ram ent’s failure to deal adequately with it. . . . | ISarly next week provision will be sought* by the Government, in another; hill! to increase the payments under the Unemployment Act. It is generally supposed that this ’to -ease wHI take the form of an inlevy.

\ wages tax proposal has been exaniitUd. and has been abandoned by the Government. The Address-in-Reply will b c moved after, the disposal of the Unemployment Bill next week.