MORE SPEECHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23700, 5 July 1940, Page 9

MORE SPEECHES

' THE BUDGET DEBATE 1 FIRST DIVISION TAKEN FINANCE IN WAR TIME [BT TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] '■J_ " WELLINGTON, Thursday An amendment moved by Mr. J. A. Lee (Democratic Labour—Grey Lynn) during the Budget debate last night was crushingly defeated when a division. the first of the session, was taken jn the House of Representatives this afternoon.

_ Both Government and Opposition Parties voted solidly together against the amendment, which was supported only bv the mover and his seconder, Mr. H. Atmore (Independent—Nelson). Jlr. Lee's amendment was to the effect that- the Budget proposals were not Acceptable because they did not provide for greater use public credit.

An important contribution to tho debate was made by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Independent—Egmont), who discussed the Government's proposed purchase of Now yjealand-owned overseas securities. He suggested that the Government should hypothecate the securities instead of selling them, and should return the stock after tho war.

The first of two Ministers to take part in the debate to-day was the Minister of Marine, the Hon. D. G. McMillan, who was making his first speech in the House since his recent appointment to the Cabinet. Two other speakers were Mr. J. G. Barclay (Government —Marsden) and Mr. S. G. Holland (Opposition Christcliurch North). The latter, who advocated a svstem of insurance as an alternative method of raising war finance, was followed bv the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F." Langstone. The last speaker was the Hon. J. G. Cobbe (Opposition —Mannwatu), who claimed that public works expenditure could be reduced by £10.000.000, and the House adjourned at 10.30 o clock until 10.30 to-morrow morning. ASSISTING FARMERS GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS STATEMENT BY MINISTER t THE VALUE OF RESEARCH / [BT TELEGRArH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Thursday A claim that the Government was doing everything possible to assist and encourage the primary producer was made by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, during the Budget debate in the House of Representatives to-night. He said a special effort was being made this year to encourage the production of cheese, pork and certain other commodities and the Government had appealed to farmers to organise to this end.

Mr. Langstone said there was no section of the community willing to assist more than the farmer. Better production would come from better feeding of stock and the Minister emphasised the value of scientific research in this connection.

MONEY FORPUBLIC WORKS * 7 \ CUT OF £10,000,000 WANTED HON.. J. G. COBBE'S ADVOCACY // [r.T TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Thursday The opinion that the estimated expenditure on public works could be reduced by £10.000.000 without causing serious loss or inconvenience was expressed by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe (Opposition— Manawatu) in the House of Representatives to-night. He said that even if this reduction were fpade the amount still remaining would be equal to the expenditure in 1935-36. which was a particularly prosperous year. Public money, said Mr. Cobbe, should be spent judiciously. There were many works which could be deferred until a more appropriate time, some of them for years. Many people in the Dominion were of the opinion that, had more prudent financial methods been adopted during the past few years, most of the extra taxation being levied todav would not be required. the excessive expenditure of norma times was absolutely unjustified and inexcusable in times of crisis, he added. This was not a time for spending money on works that were not absolutely necessary. NECESSITY FOR ECONOMY REDUCING /STATE SPENDING [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Thursday "This is not the time for justifying expenditure, but for the conservation of everv pennv for war purposes, said Mr. S. G. Holland (Opposition—Christchurch North) in the House to-night. He 'claimed that it was impossible for the country to maintain its public works expenditure, the 40-hour ueek and 40,000 men overseas or at home on defence and keep the same standard of living. Nothing should be taken from those who could not afford to pay the taxes, continued Mr. Holland. •As an alternative he suggested a graduated wages tax to make provision for the family man He also advocated the reduction of public works to a 30-hour week on pay for that time and reductions of expenditure on construction, roadinc and public buildings.

PRODUCTION AND WORK THE FORTY-HOUR WEEK NEW MINISTER'S CONTENTIONS fur TK I. EG It A PII—^—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Thursday "There is a ramp 011 to use the war to get rid of the 40-hour week." said the Minister of Marine, the Hon. D. G. -McMillan, in the House of Kepresentatives to-day. Dr. McMillan added that the Government, was not going to be a partv to abolishing the 40-hour week just for the sake of abolishing it. "What is required in New Zealand to-day is the maximum production of goods." ]ie said. "That is not always achieved hv increasing the hours of work. There is no doubt whatever that we can produce 'enormous quantities of goods with efficient organisation. "Social ownership or control can increase very great Lv the quantity ot Roods produced, ift is being done in Kngland to-day. where the first thing done on the outbreak of war was to take control of industry, because that more efficient. More goods can pest be produced', not necessarily b\ increasing the hour? of labour of certain people. but by putting more people to work. We have the need tor more K'fls and voung women in our factories."