FEW NEW TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 15

FEW NEW TOPICS

BRIGHTER DISCUSSION SOCIALISM AND TAXATION ELECTIONEERING CONTINUES TOTAL OF 36 SPEAKERS [BT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Another spasm of preliminary electioneering was indulged in to-day, when the Address-in-Reply debate was continued in the House of Representatives. The general level of the discussion was not quite as dull as it was yesterday, but among the speakers Labour back-benchers wero in tho majority again. Very few new topics were raised during to-day's contributions to tho debate. Mr. A. F. Moncur (Government Rotorua) took Mr. W. P. Kndpan (Opposition—Parnell) roundly to task for the hitter's allegations of lack of discipline in the railway service. Only one Minister took part in the debate during the day. This was the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, who described the socialistic trend of tho Government's legislation as something in common with tho democratic outlook of most civilised countries. Mr. Mason also announced that all mortgage adjustments under the Mortgagors and Lessees' Rehabilitation Act are expected to be completed by the end of November. The leading speaker from the Opposition side was a former Prime Minister, tho Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. Tho greater part of his speech was devoted to a critical analysis of the Government's social security proposals on the grounds of their ultimate cost to the country. The certainty of increased taxation, lie said, was causing apprehension throughout the country. Up to the end of the day 36 speakers had taken part in the debate, comprising 23 Government members, 12 Opposition and ono Independent. _ The House rose at 10.30 o'clock. '