MR LEE'S VIEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 10

MR LEE'S VIEWS

DEBT OBLIGATIONS CHARGED WITH ADVOCATING REPUDIATION CRITICISM IN HOUSE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. Charging Mr J. A. Lee (Govt., Grey Lynn) with advocating repudiation of New Zealand’s overseas debts, Mr W. P. Endean (Opposition, Remuera) discussed New Zealand’s financial position in the House of Representatives to-day. “After hearing some of the statements made in this House and elsewhere by Labour Ministers and members, is it any wonder that the City of London hesitates to come to the assistance of New Zealand? ” Mr Endean asked. “In the Budget itself we sse defiance of financial interests in London.” The Prime Minister had said that the standards of life would not be lowered in New Zealand, no matter what happened overseas, he added. The Acting Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser): Hear, hear. We will stand by that. Mr Endean: We believe that the standard should be raised to the highest that the country can affard. “ Then we have the extraordinary speech of the member for Grey Lynn,” Mr Endean continued. “ He, in effect, advocated repudiation.” Labour voices: No, he did not. Mr Endean: He has rebelled against the orthodox Budget of the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) and against the orthodox methods of the Minister of Finance (Mr W Nash). After quoting from the speech made in the House by Mr Lee last night, Mr Endean asked what other construction could be put upon the address, except that the Left Wing, of which Mr Lee was a great leader, believed in repudiation of New Zealand’s debt obligations to Britain? Mr A. S. Richards (Govt., Roskill): No, no. An Opposition member; He sat on the fence last night. Mr Endean: What he wants to do is what Russia did to repudiate 700,000,000 roubles owing in London. “ Is Mr Lee to come out into the open and clearly say that he believes in repudiation, or are we just to infer that he does? ” Mr Endean asked. “Is he going to accept the orthodox methods of the present Government, or what? ”