VIEWS ON THE BUDGET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20961, 26 August 1931, Page 11

VIEWS ON THE BUDGET.

RESUMPTION OF DEBATE.

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF.

SUGGESTED SCOPE FOR WORK

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

The Budget debate was resumed in tlie House of Representatives this evening. Mr. W. Nash (Labour —Hutl) submitted it would benefit the Dominion generally if relief workers were Riven standard rates of pay. Even if they did not. pet a full week's work, they should at least be able to obtain sufficient, to provide for sustenance. He inquired whether it would be possible, in cases of distress, to protect tenants from eviction alone the same lines as those on which mortgagors were protected from foreclosure under the Mortgagors' Relief Act.

Mr. T. W. McDonald (Government — Wairarapa) advocated a further reduction in interest- rates, contending there should be an internal conversion loan. Just as there were nominal as well as real wages, there were nominal as well as real interest rates, and if the nominal interest, rate were, for instance, 7 per cent., it would really be more as a result of the increased purchasing power of money. He warmly advocated the formation of a National Government in New Zealand to tide the country over the economic crisis. The present was no time for party sentiments. There could be no finer example than that which had been set at the seat of the British Commonwealth of Nations. He trusted the Dominion would follow Britain's lead.

Mr. G. R. Sykes (Reform —Masterton) said it had been his intention to deal with the sins of omission and commission of the present Government, but in view of the political armistice, he would eliminate that phase of his speech. He urged the Government to continue the Unemployment Board's 4A and 4B schemes for at least another month. Referring to the development of secondary industries, Mr. Sykes said if it were possible for cement works to be kept going day and night, there would be scope for reduction in the price, and concrete roads would replace the present bitumen highways. There were enormous cement deposits in both islands and it was regrettable that the Dominion was continually sending overseas for materials used for bitumen roads.

Mr. J. A. Nash (Beform —Palmerston) expressed the opinion that work could be found for 1800 men if a duty were placed on imported butter and fruit boxes. Referring to the Budget's taxation proposals, he said he hoped the Government would find a way of avoiding the increased taxes on tea and sugar. He thought the Government should be able to obtain a large additional amount of revenue from the petrol tax. The debate was interrupted by the rising of the House at 10.30 p.m. until 7.30 p.m. to-morrow.

PROTECTION ON WHEAT.

SLIDING SCALE CONDEMNED

"UNFAIR TO THE COMMUNITY."

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

A desire to see the sliding scale of wheat duties abolished and a flat rate of protection given to growers was expressed bv Mr. T. W. McDonald (Government —Wairarapa) in the House of Representatives this evening, when he said anything he could do to prevent Parliamentary sanction to the proposal to guarantee 4s 6d a bushel to the wheatgrowers would be done. According to reports from the South Mr. D. Jones had addressed the farmers of Canterbury urging them not to accept the 4s 6d assured under new proposals, but to hold out for 4s 9d a bushel, which he had declared would easily secura the sanction of the House. That, however, was not the correct position. The Prime Minister could not do this. Mr. Jones: Be kind-hearted.

Mr. McDonald: Could you imagine anything more cruel or harsh on the community than a duty on flour and wheat amounting to 200 per cent, above world parity. What about, the. remainder of the primary producers ? A Voice: They* have protection. Mr. McDonald: They have not. We have one section of the House bolstering up the wheat growing industry and not caring one jot about the remainder of the community. A Reform voice: What about cherries? Mr. McDonald: They are luxuries, and if that's all the wheatgrowers can adduce as an argument for the duties it is a poor one. There is no reason whatsoever why the reduced scale of duties should not be enforced straight away Is there any other primary industiy which receives such generous treatment as this? The whole business is unfair to the remainder of the community and other producing interests.

INTERESTS OF FREE GROWERS

NEXT SEASON'S CROP

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PEEKS ASSOCIATION".]

ASH BURTON, Tuesday

A meeting of free wheatgrowers was attended bv 130 farmers from all parts of Canterbury and Otago. A resolution was carried that their interests should be represented in the drawing up of any agreement with the millers regarding the handling of next season's crop. The matter of forming a free wheatgrowers association was left to a committee to act if considered necessary. The committee appointed represents all parts of Canterbury and North Otago.

PUBLIC SERVICE

GRANTS ON RETIREMENT. SUPERANNUATION FUND. The retirement of public servants rather earlier than usual in accordance with the Government's economy measures was given effect to at the recent quarterly meeting of the Public Service Superannuation Board. Nine contributors were retired with allowances aggregating £756 a year. There are special provisions in the Finance Act, 1931, for the granting of allowances to officers compulsorily retired up to September 30 next through no fault of their own.

The board also dealt with the cases of 45 contributors who were retired on account of age or length of service, and of these allowances totalling £8990 a year were granted. Five contributors, retired as medically unfit, were granted an aggregate of £499 a year. Three cases were deferred for further medical examination. Statutory allowance!} amounting to £1072 a year were granted to 22 widow* and 15 children.