DISCUSSION RESUMED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18206, 29 September 1933, Page 9

DISCUSSION RESUMED

THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

MORE LABOR CRITICISM

MINISTER IN REPLY

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. ' Resiimitig the Address-in-Reply debate in (he House to-day, Mr F. Jones ! (Lab., Dunedin South) said that when the duty had been increased on petrol ; last year, an endeavor had been made to persuade oil companies to reduce their prices, but it could not be done. Competition had done the trick, however, and there had been a substantial reduction per gallon. Ho alleged that, a. combine of petrol companies by reducing prices was trying to push another company, which secured its supplies front Russia, out of business, and he .thought it would be a bad thing for New Zealand if the combine was successful. He would like to see fair competition, and be believed the Government should take action, i Mr J. W. Munro (Lab., Dunedin North) advocated more intensive development of gold mining in Otago. He said he was gratified, as the Dunedin people were, at the decision to erect the new Post Office. There were many thinking people, however, who believed that the money would ■have been better spent on the developj meat of goldfields. I Mr R, MeKeen (Lab., Wellington South) said the failure of the World Conference had indicated that each country would have to deal with its own problems. He eon tended that the only manner in which New Zealand , could solve her currency problem was to return to the policy of basing currency on commodities. , Referring to the exchange rate, Mr McKecn said that the British farmers had been carefully watching the effects of depreciated New Zealand and Danish currency. So far as it concerned competition with their products, : they were now quite justifiably asking for a greater share of their own market. It would be well for New Zealand producers to look for additional markets.

MR. RANSOM'S SPEECH

Tlie Hon. E. A. Ransom replied to the points raised in the Leader of the Opposition’s speech. Ho said that Mr. Holland had asked why there was want and poverty in the midst of plenty. The answer was all too simple. It was due entirely to the loss of national income previously derived from our exports. Taking 1928 prices as a basis, our losses in export values due to price changes had amounted to £ 67,000,000 in four years. This falling-off has now been arrested.

The Leader of the Opposition had said that the session had opened without a single ray of hope. Whatever the Opposition might feel, members on the Government benches were full of hope, and the Minister declared that that hope was fully justified. There was a decided improvement in prices of all primary products. Butter had risen from 05s to 110 s per cwt., cheese from 27s to 55s per cwt., lambs from 5.s to 17s per head, and crossbred wool from 2d to Gid and SAct per lb.; and, in addition, there had been an increase in exports. Recent indications encouraged optimism. Ewes had sold at Addington up to 30s. compared with Government purchases last year at 5s Gd.

Ho considered that, the Dominion would have reason to be thankful In tho future that, during the time of crisis, she had had a courageous arid a strong Government, which had dealt with facts and not fallacies, and had not made promises it had no expectation of fulfilling. THE WORLD CONFERENCE

Continuing, the Minister stated that the Leader of the Opposition lmd said that it had been quite unnecessary, for Messrs. Forbes and Masters to attend the World Conference, and called it a

“waste of money.” Mr. Ransom declared- that the trip would repay the country over and over again. He referred to the, favorable comments of primary producers regarding the protection afforded them, and quoted as other benefits the tentative arrangements made in regard to overseas debts conversion, the agreement with Belgium in respect of mutual trade, a better understanding with the Imperial Government, the conference with Mr. Roosevelt and his advisors, and the full information in respect of tho United States recovery proposals. The full advantages to the Dominion had not yet been disclosed, much being of a more oi less confidential character.

Mr. T. To Tomo (Ind., W. Maori) paid a tribute to the late Mr. McCombs, who, lie said, had .fought well for his principles. He expressed pride,and,pleasure that Mrs. McCombs had been elected in her husband’s place. Ho complimented tho Government on the manner in which it hud been assisting the Maoris to develop their lands. Ho did not .disagree with tho principle of Maoris paying rates, hut lie thought they should be exempted if they were out of emplo-y----npmL,. _ _ ; . ' 'Mr.' Ei J.' Howard. (Lab.,'Christcliurtli S.) said,that the Prime Minister should take his .eyes off the other side of the world, and fix them on New Zealand. The Dominion could, produce all that her peoplo required and there was no need to import anything. It was useless to talk about producing more for export, because Britain djd not want Now Zealand’s produce. Britain had invested hundreds of millions in other countries and wanted goods •from those countries to pay tho interest that was owing. New, Zealand .would have to look at the position from a Dominion point of view and produce for tho people of New Zealand. The debate was then adjourned.