MORE SPENDING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23109, 6 August 1938, Page 17

MORE SPENDING

PUBLIC WOEKS NEEDS HON. P. C. WEBB'S VIEWS ROADING DEVELOPMENTS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday "Overseas comment on the Budget has been much fairer than the comment of newspapers in this country," said the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. O. Webb, during the financial debate in the House of Representatives to-day. "I have looked in vain for some word of praise from newspapers here, yet this Budget and the Public Works estimates are the most wonderful documents that have ever been placed" before the country." The member for Waitomo had made the most unfair criticism that money allocated had not been spent, said Mr. Webb. That was because in many instances counties could not go on with., work that was eligible for a Government subsidy. The money was there, but the delay was not with the Public Works Department. Almost every member of the Opposition complained of the huge expenditure on public works, tho Minister added. The money had been spent on useful works and as well as providing the facilities that tho country needed, was giving useful work to men who would otherwise be unemployed. "I have travelled this country very widely," Mr. Webb continued, "and I can truthfully say that there is not one county in which there is not work that is needed urgently. This young country is still in need of roading development. Members themselves are appealing for works in their electorates and the proof that tho work is needed lies in the incessant demand for roads and bridges. We are not spending enough on public works." Reference was made by the Minister to Government expenditure and plans for main highways, level crossing elimination, roading facilities in the backblocks and tho construction of aerodromes. j

"Not one member of this House would stop one of these works," added Mr. Webb. ''Every road that has been constructed reflects the energy and opportunity of men who would others ise be unemployed.''

THE MONETARY SYSTEM

FULL STATE CONTROL MR. LEE'S ARGUMENTS UTILISING PUBLIC CREDIT (*BY TELEGKAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER! WELLINGTON, Friday Various points of financial policy were discussed by Mr. J. A. Lee (Government—Grey Lynn) during the financial debate in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Lee's main point was that the Government should not be dependent on private enterprise for its financial requirements. There was no power more fundamental to the welfare of tho people of anvrfcountry, said Mr. Lee, than complete control of the monetary system and freedom to continue with national development. He personally was not one of those who subscribed to the idea that before money could be made available for any public work it was necessary to go cap in hand to private enterprise and cadge at rates of interest fixed by private enterprise. "It is . the duty of the people to provide the necessary funds," Mr. Lee continued, "and to provide them at a rate of interest determined bv the constitutionally elected representatives of the people. The rate of interest inherited by the Labour Party, 3i per cent, may be satisfactory at the moment, but no one can. say that it is sacred." Mr. Lee referred to recent loans raised by the British Government for defence purposes at 2J per cent, and stated that if that could be done for purposes of 'destruction it should be possible for a constitutionally elected Parliament to utilise the credit of the country for the provision of goods and services at a rate, lower than 31 per cent. "We cannot achieve these things overnight," Mr. Lee added. "We have to be careful that in doing the job we do not bring about our . own undoing. However, we know we have secured a mandate for. the public control of the financial machine." TOMATO PULP SUPPLIES CHECK ON IMPORTATION REQUEST FOR ASSURANCE [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER! ■WELLINGTON, 4 Friday An assurance that growers of tomatoes and other small fruits would not be penalised by the over-importation of pulp into New Zealand was sought by Mr. A. C. A. Sexton (Lidependent •—Franklin), in notice of a question to the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, in the House of Representatives. Mr. Sexton also intends to ask the Minister if he will confer with the advisory council set up by the growers before taking any steps to lift the duties imposed on pulp. "The assurance I have asked for is only sought so long as local growers can meet manufacturing requirements at a reasonable price," said Mr. Sexton. "Through over-importation last year it is estimated that in the Hutt Valley district alone from 300 to 400 tons of tomatoes were left to rot on tlie ground, involving growers in a monetary loss of some thousands of pounds." Notice was also given by Mr. Sexton of his intention to ask the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. 1). G. Sullivan, whether he is prepared to give assistance toward the erection of co-operative plants for pulping tomatoes and processing other small fruits and vegetables.