Mr. Savage Replies To Banker

Northern Advocate, 1 February 1939, Page 8

Mr. Savage Replies To Banker

[Per Press Association. Copyright.] WELLINGTON, This Day.

“Most of the banks appear to copie out 6 of the strangulation process pretty healthy,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, when invited to comment on the statement by Sir John Davidson, chairman of the Union Bank of Australia, that owing to increased taxation, the New Zealand Government w»s strangling the banks. “One has only to look at the dividends paid by the various banks to find that there is not much to support the complaint about strangulation,” Mr Savage said. Mr Savage added that all the Government wanted from the banks was service that would permit the development of New Zealand to the full, and make it possible for the producers of the country in all lines to have the benefit of their efforts.

As long as the country got that service there was no need for any Government to share the worries of the bankers.

Of 3000 Italians living in the Moselle Department of Franc©; summoned tc do military service in Italy, or alternatively 30 years as reservists, only 200 responded.

Mere trouble has arisen concerning the steamer Dalfram, loading pig-iron for Japan at Port Kembla. It is reported that six members of the crew who deserted owing to their refusal to assist in the handling of the pigiron, are now hiding in Sydney. About 3000 tons remain to be loaded.

A total of 778 recruits joined the Royal Air Force last week, compared with 274 in the corresponding week of last year! This brings the total acceptance of pilots, observers, airmen and boys, since April 1, to 26,775, compared with 12,106 in the corresponding period of last year.