Prime Minister Hits Back at Critics

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 59, 11 March 1943, Page 5

Prime Minister Hits Back at Critics

Address-in-Reply Debate Nears End Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Mar. 10. The question of the disposition of the New Zealand forces overseas was raised by Mr. J. A. Lee when the House met at 7.30 to-night. He gave notice to move on the next sitting day: That this House is or opinion that tho question or tne disposition of tne *scw Zealand forces overseas involving consiueration of tne numoer or bat ta - gouts on wnicn tney saouid be engaged snould oe discusseu anu determined xortnwitn by this House.” Continuing tho Address-in-Leply debate the Minister of Pensions (Hon. W. E. Parry) said that when the present Government came into office the number of pensions in force was 58,550 and the total payments under the old age pensions scheuio was £2,074,244. ro-day the number of beneficiaries under the Social Security Act was 189,440 and the total payout for the year ending March 31 last was £10,703,239. Figures for the current year were estimated at £11,670,000. A frank admission that it was undesirable that children under the age of 14 years should work in factories was made by the Prime Minister, referring to a statement made previously in the debate by Mrs. Grigg. Mr. Fraser added that he had looked into the matter and had found that the number of children in factories had decreased over a number of years but the position was still not * satisfactory. Away back in 2925 provision had been made for raising the school age but this had not been made effective. However, he hoped that under reconstruction it would be possible first to raise the age to 15 years and then to 16. He had been concerned regarding the criticism of high wages earned by children leaving school and getting into blind alley occupations, but he had recently been reassured by the headmaster of a school that the children at his school were not wanting to leave Bchool. The Minister of Education (Hon. H. G. R. Mason): That has been the experience at a number of other schools. Mr. Fraser said he was gratified to receive that assurance. It was evident parents were taking advantage of the educational opportunities available to their children. Speaking of the quick announcement of news to the public which had been mentioned by several speakers in the debate, Mr. Fraser said while the Government was always anxious that people should be given the news as quickly as possible this was not always practicable. Sometimes the Director of Publicity, the censor and the Government were subjected to decisions made in Australia and to decisions made by the American representnfives in New Zealand. Mr. Fraser added that he regretted the member for Patea had referred to the public service in the way he had. The member might not have meant to have cast a reflection on men who against their will had been kept in the public service and not allowed to join the forces. He did not think it fair and thought the member would fake an early opportunity of withdrawing the statement that there were C 3 men in camps and grade one men in funkholes in the public service, especially in view of the fact that some of the men concerned had pleaded to be allowed to join the forces but were prevented from doing so because of the important nature of their work. Referring to the remarks made by Sir Apriana Ngata, Mr. Fraser said he did not think the British people were ever grander or greater than at present. The manner in which they had stood at Dunkirk and during their country’s darkest hour showed that the British people had never been greater and they had created new standards for the future. It had been said that Britain did not produce great men like those who had served in India in the past, but there were men in India to-aay who were jußt as great and lie instanced General Wavell. He hoped the difficulties in India itself could still be composed. Mr. Fraser said the strengthening of the bonds between New Zealand and the United States did not mean the weakening of the link with Britain. No approaches had been made officially on the question of Pacific bases up to the present moment. Mr. F. W. Doidge: Have there been any negotiations with Mr. Nash? Mr. Fraser: Not as far as I am aware. He continued that New Zealand was a sovereign country and no other sovereign country would think of coming into this country and the idea would be preposterous. He would not like a word said that would do anything other than bring New Zealand and America still closer together. Mr. Fraser added that he believed the President of tho United States was incapable of a mean action or of fostering any tyrannical policy. He believed in the principles of the Atlantic Charter and would stick to them right through. Mr. Fraser complimented the Leader of the Opposition on his new-born anxiety about the wages and conditions of the police force and hoped he would extend similar anxiety to the wages of other workers, particularly agricultural Workers. Amid a number of interjections he added that tho Leader of the Opposition talked at his secret meetings about our defensive tactics in a way that showed he was incompetent to discuss them. He preferred closed meetings because it was too stupid to discuss in the House. Mr. Holland: There has not been a meeting by ticket. The Speaker intervened, stating that there were too many interruptions and Mr. Fraser continued, Mr. Holland was not doing a service to the country by his foolish and ill-informed statements. Turning to criticisms of the banks, Mr. Fraser said the banks were traders in purchasing power and were giving part of that purchasing power to the Government. That was the function of the banks and he could not see that they were robbing the country and people. Mr. Fraser spoke for an hour and a-half and Mr. F. Schramm moved the adjournment, the House rising at 10.30 till 2.30 tomorrow. At 10.30 a.m. however, members will meet the chiefs of staff in secret session in the social hall.