BUDGET DEBATE ENDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 206, 1 August 1941, Page 6

BUDGET DEBATE ENDS

FINANCE MINISTER’S REPLY

UNITY IN COUNTRY.

. (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, July 31. xt i 0 Acting-Prime Minister (Mr i Nash) concluded tlio Budget debate in i the House of Representatives this cven- ■ when lie thanked the colleagues of his own party for their eulogistic references to the Budget and also the majority of the members of the Opposition for their “silent tribute.” (Laughter.) The Minister outlined how pro- ' duction had increased in volume since 1J35, and referring to criticism of the import restrictions policy said that, if the value oi the imports were the test, “J® value of the goods brought in in 1940 was £18,000,000 more than the value of the imports in 1934. The Government had never refused a license lor essential goods, he said, and there were more goods available to the peopie of this country for tho purpose of maintaining living standards, be- | cause the Government had brought esi sential goods in. All the members of the Opposition, said Mr Nash, had been looking forward to an announcement in the Budget that the people would have to pay more in taxation, but because they had not the Opposition was disappointed. Mr Nash referred to the invitation extended to the Leader of the Opposition to join the War Cabinet One placo where Dir Holland could help the Government, lie said, was in that Cabinet, but it seemed clear ho wanted to indulge in party politics. Dir Nash said it was because of what the Opposition had done during the last six months that had made it next door to impossible to have a National Government. Ihe best way to secure tho maximum war effort was to secure unity in the Mar Cabinet, and lie considered Mr Holland should have become a member i of that Cabinet. 1 QUESTION OE ELECTION. 1

3he Dlinistor also inferred that the holding of a general election would depend on what Dir Fraser reported when he returned to New Zealand. The issues of tho war were so great, he continued, that if a National Government were necessary to extend the war effort, ho was in favour of it. However, he did not believe a National Government would extend the war effort. Dlr Holland asked if Dlr Nash thought his joining the War Cabinet would increase the war effort.

Mr Nash replied that if Mr Holland would come in with an open mind and stop political propaganda, it would help tho war effort. Dlr Nash also contended that the newspapers were helping the Opposition in its anti-Government propaganda. The Leader of the Opposition had claimed that his entry to the War Cabinet would tie him up, hut were not all members of the War Cabinet tied in the same way P Reverting to the possibility of an election, Dlr Nash said lie did not have time to go round campaigning, but ho might have to if it were considered necessary for the maintenance of the Government’s social programme. Mr F. W. Doidge: If the Loader o( the Opposition conies into the War Cabinet, then you are saved a general election ?

Dlr Nash: No; I do not say that. 1 am saying that if Dlr Holland comes into the War Cabinet there would be a better chance of unity in the country. lam not going to say if there is to be an election or not. That is for the Prime Minister. It might he possible to avoid an election if there is complete unity in the War Cabinet and the war effort.

Continuing, he added that he had been in touch with Dlr Fraser this week, and tlio latter had studied conditions in the United Kingdom and Middle East. He would also study them in the United States, and when he came hack would determine what ought to ho recommended in the best interests of the country. Til conclusion, he hoped there would be slightly less bitterness than in the past, and that, if they could not have * a National Government, they would have an element of national unity that would' give the maximum war effort. After Dlr Nash had concluded his reply, thus ending the Budget debate, the House formally went into Committee of Supply, immediately reporting progress. • TO SIT ON THREE DAYS. Dir Nash then announced that, for the remainder of the present session, the House would sit oil Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays only each week. This arrangement had been made at Dlr Holland’s suggestion to suit tho convenience of South Island members. The House, however, ho said, would not sit to-morrow, but would adjourn until 2.30 on Wednesday next.