"HUMANITARIAN GOVERNMENT"

Mt Benger Mail, 27 October 1937, Page 1

"HUMANITARIAN GOVERNMENT"

MR D. McDOUGALL’S PRAISE

SOCIALISM NOT TO BH

FEARED

Wellington, Oct. 20

‘ ‘ This is the most humanitarian Government I have known during the 53 years I have been in the Dominion,” said Mr D. McDougall (Ind., Mataura), when speaking in the debate on the financial statement in the House of Representatives to-night. Mr McDougall •congratulated the Minister of of Finance (Mr W. Nash) on his Budget, and said he hoped Labour would be inspired to carry on its work in the interests of the people generally . “The Minister of Finance,” continued Mr McDougall, “was described by the member for Kaipara (Mr J. G. Coates) as the official undertaker for the Government. Well, personally, I would rather be an undertaker than a corpse, any day.” (Laughter). Mr McDougall said that in his opinion it would have been better if the Governments of the past had taxed more and borrowed less. If that had been done New Zealan would not be paying out so much to-day for interest. “I don’t see why the Opposition should fear Socialism,” added Mr McDougall. s “After all, the Master Himself preached and practised Socialism. The land was meant for all the people, and It is only fair that those who have the use of it should be made to pay for it.” .