BANK CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25180, 18 April 1945, Page 9

BANK CONTROL

"POLITICAL STUNT" GOMMENTB BY MR HOLYOAKE "The Government's move to take over the Bank of New Zealand is juflt so much sheer doctrinaire nonsense, aimed principally at tlie late member for this district, Mr J. A. Lee," said Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P. for Pa'niatua, when addressing members of the Grev Lynn branch of the National Party in the Grey Lynn Library Hall this week. "Both Mr Fraser and Mr Nash have admitted that the Government stands to gain nothing whatever from this manoeuvre," he added. The Government's action might be termed a J. A. Lee Bill, Mr Holyoake said. Klxpelled from the Labour Party, Mr Lee had formed his own party with the control of the banks as one of the principal planks in his platform. Mr Lee had made capital of the fact that this was included in the platform on which the Labour Party was returned to power in 1935, but which had never been fulfilled. There were electors who had heeded this and who had transferred their allegiance to Mr Lee's party. "The Government is in so shaky a position in many of its seats that it can ill-afford to lose even 100 votes to Mr Lee's party," continued Mr Holyoake. "This bill therefore is designed to cut the ground from under Mr Lee's feet. It is a political atunt aimed at the Lee party —nothing more. That is my considered opinion. The Government's uneasiness over the narrow margin by which it held many seats was reflected further by its decision to take a census, Mr Holyoake went on. Never was there a more unsuitable time than the present, whereas within 12 months there was a likelihood that many of the men and women overseas would lie back, thus giving a truer indication of the position. At present many wives had shifted to the cities to stav with relatives while their

husbands were overseas, and in addition the manpower regulations had swelled the urban populations, so that the Countryside was practically denuded for the time being. ■ "This census is a political move which must be rushed through in time for the next election," said Mr Holyoake. "Alter every census there is a reallocation of electorate boundaries on a population basis. This means that a census taken now will result in an increase in the number of city seats —where industrial Labour is strongest—and a decrease in the number of country seats — which belong overwhelmingly to the National Party. "Obviously, the Government hopes to secure a political advantage from such ii reallocation, but 1 believe that eventually it will lose by such a manoeuvre. For New Zealanders are essentially a fair-minded and sporting people, and if they see the Government misusing its power to take an unfair advantage over it« opponent there will be a strong psychological reaction. BUILDING IN WHANGAREI (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Tuesday In spite of the shortage of materials, building activity in Whangarei is greatly on the increase, this being clearlv shown by the number of permits issued by the Whangarei Borough Council during" the first three months this vear, compared with the _ same months of last year. For the period, 63 permit# were issued, against 35 issued during the first three months of 1944. Permits for 16 dwellings, to a total value of £21,071, have been issued in 1945, compared with seven for £10,385 in the same period last vear. Additions and alterations to residences number 11, valued at £4228, against 16 valued at £I3BO last year. Permits for 27 business premises, the majority small structures, were issued, the value being £9137, while last vear the figures were nine for £5009. These figures do not include State housing activities.