PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 227, 24 August 1929, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES'. DEBATE ON THE BUDGET. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. Aug. 23. The House of Representatives resumed .at 2.30 p.m. when Mr D. McDougall (Mataura) continued his speech on tho Financial Statement. He urged the development of secondary industries and the consumption, wherever possible, of New Zealand products and raw materials. He expressed vigorous opposition to free trade, which, he said, would lower the standard of life. A universal pension of an increased amount should be provided for disabled ex-servicemen and this should be charged on the "wool kings” whose property they had fought to protect. THE HIGHWAYS FUND. Mr A. E. Ansell (Chalmers) stated that he objected not only to the increase in primage duty, but also to the original one per cent. duty. It reminded him of the dentist, who, prior to drawing a tooth, informed his patient: “You won’t feel it, but even if you do, it- won’t last long.” Tire motorists had originally asked to be taxed, for two reasons: They wanted good roads and they considered it fair, that they should contribute a share of the burden that might otherwise fall on the local bodies. There was a definite obligation on the Government to honour the agreement that had been reached between the county authorities, the Government and the motorists. It had been stated that the Highways Board had not been of much value to the country, but Mr Ansell assured the House that it had given splendid service. Originally, the mileage of roads to be maintained was 6000, but now it had increased to 10,000 and it appeared that the Government was refusing to accept any liability for 'ibis task. Last year, contributions, from .all sources, cost motorists £1,200.000. Motorists', recognising the seriousness of the unemployment position, had raised no ob L jection last year to the expenditure from the highways fund of £222,000 to keep men at work. A very large proportion of this was work which would not have been essential for some years and the conditions under which it was carried out were certainly not economical. The Government was prepared to subsidise relief works in cities, but instead of subsidising work made possible by tho motorists’ contributions, it,was goinnr to take money away from tho highways fund. TIMBER RESOURCES.

Mr ,T. O Brien (Westland) complained that the Government was not making sulheient progress in dealing with the problems of the day and .added: “If it does not make a start soon, we are going to get tired of waiting and so is the jiublie.” Had a little more attention been paid to some industries of the country, there would not have been an unemployment problem. The timber resources of the country were not fully realised. Accessibility had increased as the result of modern inventions. and by the 'time the timber which the Forestry Department bad estimated was available was cut out, it would be possible to grow six new forests. The country, in fact, had never-failing resources nnd there was no need to endanger its scenic features. Foreign’>i:imber was being dumped in the country by a regular steamer service and each of these steamers landed timber that would keep three New Zealand uiills busy (.and 50 men employed) for 12 months. Tim coal industry should also be more intensively developed and, jf it were given its full scope, it would be capable ;of employing another 21,000 men. - Mr G. C. Black (Motuoka) said be had been interested in Mr O’Brien’s reference to the coal industry, particularly as coal was admitted duty free to this country. He advocated the encouragement of -this industry, and also referred to the possibilities of the fruit industry, including canned fruits.His speech was interrupted by the rising of the House at 5.30 p.m. until 2 30 p.m. on Monday.