ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE

Grey River Argus, 20 July 1945, Page 5

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE

CONCLUDES IN HOUSE Prices and Industries P.A. WELLINGTON, July lb. The Address-in-Reply debate concluded in the House tnis afternoon. The debate was conducted by Government speakers. Those members still available on the , Opposition benches did not offer to -take part. This resulted in the debate coming to an end shortly after 5 p.m. Mr. J. B. Cotterill (Govt., Wanganui) said that the control of prices had protected the small man against the big combines. This had also prevented violent fluctuations in prices, and had ensured stability. Wnne price controls had been a war-time measure, he considered that price control should continue after me war. Mr. A. S. Richards (Govt., Roskili), said that the only political movement in the world which could claim to oe truly a Christian movement was tnat of labour and Socialism. Labour's aims were “all for each and each for all.” Its aim was not, as in private enterprise, “the devil take the hindmost/' Under private enterprise, there had to be a war every lew years to enable men and women to get a decent uniform and decent food. Private enterprise was the cnuelest system in the world, and it would have to give way, in many instances, to State enterprise. Hon. E. T. Tirikatene (Govt., Southern Maori).. reminded tne House of the deeds of the Maori Battalion overseas, and said that, although the Battalion had been supported on a voluntary basis, there always were more available than were needed. The Maori was recognised as a full brother to the Pakeha, and he insisted that there should be no discrimination between the races oy the Department administering rehabilitation. Mr. R. McKeen (Govt., Wellington South), said that New Zealand manufacturers had been asked/ by Parliament, to establish war industries, and they had done so; and, now, they must be given a guarantee tnat their Industries would continue into the peace; that their employees would be enabled to continue in employment; and that the machinery which they had imported’ would continue in use. Mr. McKeon said that the Opposition claimed that high taxation was preventing these industries from expanding into peace-time production, out, at the same time, higli dividends were still being paid, and reserves were growing,, and not one shareholder had lost one penny piece from fees or dividends, because of taxation. Mr. E. p. Meachen, the mover, replied to the debate, and the address-in-reply was then approved.