BUDGET DEBATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22226, 28 September 1935, Page 15

BUDGET DEBATE

[NEW LEASE OF LIFE THE END NOT REACHED TOTAL OF" 29 SPiEAKERS NEXT WEEK'S PROSPECTS [by TELEGRAM! —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday The financial debate took a fresh lease of life in the House of Reproeentatives to-day. Although thej-o was a rush of speakers yesterday it was generally expected the debate would close to-day, but; apparently a number of members still have talking points and at least a full day may bo required next week before a somewhat wearisome discussion comes to an end. During his speech in the debate today the Hon. A. D. McLeod (Govem—Wairarapa) voiced what must he the opinion of many on the general level of the speeches. He said there had been hardly any discussion on the Budget, and, as far as he could see, members would bo justified in thinking that the Address-in-Reply debate was still in progress. There were seven speakers to-day, making a total of 29 to date. The -iews of 15 Labour members have been expounded, generally with a remarkable unanimity of thought and expression, while there have been 12 speeches by Government supporters and two by Independents. The House adjourned at £.30 'this evening for the customary week-end recess and will resume on Tuesday afternoon. As far as can be gathered no definite plan has been mapped out for next week's business, as much depends on the duration of the Budget debate. However, as soon as that is finished, a start will be made with the consideration of the Estimates, as the Government is anxious to embark on its legislative programme as soon as possible. POINTS OF CRITICISM MR. STALLWORTHY'S RANGE j MANY TOPICS COVERED [Br TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Friday Criticism of the administration of the Unemployment Fund figured largely in a speech by Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Independent—Eden) during the financial debate in tie House of Representatives to-day. "It is a question of qasy come, easy go," said Mr. Stallworthy. "The money is collected easily at the rate of about £4,500,000 a yeir and is transferred to the pockets of wealthy people and used in capital expenditure." He contended that tin. Budget itself contains the confession that money taken num. the people had been used on works that admittedly were not going to return interest on capital cost. Mr. Stallworthy also referred to the declared aim of the Government toward equality of sacrifice. Such an aim. he said, did not exist. There was also the tragedy of the exchange rate, concerning which tha Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, and thti Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Government —Duivedia West) had just had a renewed difference of opinion. Mr. Stallworthy advised Mr. Forbes not to make any reference to the matter in future. The Budget itself, Mr. Stallworthy added, was anything but a hopeful document. " POLITICAL PROPHET " "" ■ ' MR. DOWNIE STEWART'S! PART COMMENT BY LABOUR MEMBER [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday Reference to the political history of the Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Government—Punedin West) in the llight of his recent remarks at Dunedlin was made by Mr. J. W. Munro (Labour; — Dunedin North) during the financial debate in the House of Representatives to-day. "I understand." said Mr. Munro, "that Mr. Downie Stewart obtained leave from the Houso on account of urgent public business and that business evidently was to make a speech condemning the present Government. I wonder whether ho .is seriously thinking of linking up with the Labour Party, because he is what 1 should term a political prophet. Prior to the 1922 elections he analysed the Massoy Cabinet and made the statement that if he was returned to Parliament he would support the Government, but would expect a reorganisation of the Cabinet. Sometimes history has a habit of repeating itself. The Government was reorganised and Mr. Stewart was elevated to Ministerial rank. "In his speech at Dunedin this week Mr. Stewart dealt with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance in somewhat caustic vein and ho presumed, as we all presume, that there are only two Ministers in the Cabinet to-day. T wonder if political history will repeat itself at the end of the year and if tho member for Dunedin West, aided by the instinct that makes rate desert ? sinking ship, will become Prime Minister. We sincerely hope not." HEALTH OF NURSES /%■ ' LIABILITY FOR ILLNESS GOVERNMENT ACTION URGED [BY wlecbaph—special reporter] "WELLINGTON, Friday A scheme to provide for nurses who iave steered illness or disability as the result of the. practice of their profession was advocated by Mr. F. Jones (Labour—Dunedin South) during the ■Buaget debate iin tho House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Jones said there was some doubt Present where the liability lay in ™ a t respect and ho appealed to the wovernnient to provide definite, protection for nurses suffering in that way. t know the valuable work these young jyoiien are doing," said Mr. Jones, and there is always a danger that fiu l '*h will suffer as the result or the hard work and the study that they must, undertake. Between 1930 and 1935 15 nurses m the service of the Otago Hospital arcl c °ntracted tuberculosis and the Question was raised whether the liabnity lay with the Hospital Board. ■*«e general'opinion was that the board ? r the insurance companies were liable, out there was n conflict of opinion legally. Tubercular infection is pre"®nt to a great extent in the community and I hope the Government will consider bringing down some scheme to LPjoviae these young women with deprotection,"

THE SALES TAX PLEA FOE ADJUSTMENT MR. A. lE." JULL'S VIEWS BURDEN ON BUSINESS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday Some measure of relief from the sales tax: was advocated by Mr. A. E. Jull f Government—Waipawa) during tho financial debate in the House of Representatives to-day. Business people, he said, had been looking for at least some adjustment in the tax. the revenue from which had increased last vear by 17.J per cent. The sales tax was iniDOsed for a specific purpose and if it produced more than the liability entailed then it should be readjusted at tho earliest opportunity. A great- deal of expense was involved in collecting tho tax and he did not think it could be removed entirely. Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Independent —Eden): Why not P Mr. Jull: Because it will mean a deficit of £2,000,000. At the same time I think the tax could be eased. Business people, Mr. Jull added, were entitled to some consideration. They had been extremely patient and had carried a considerable load which they could not pass on to the consumer. Every consideration should also bo given to tho removal of the primage duty at the earliest possible opportunity in order to assist United Kingdom exporters to New Zealand.