LEFT IN THE AIR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19126, 22 September 1936, Page 5

LEFT IN THE AIR

SOCIAL CREDIT PROTEST DEBATE WITH MINISTER SOCIALISM OPPOSED DEBT-FREE MONEY URGED (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Demanding a declaration of the ultimate aim of the Labour Government, a deputation from the Social Credit League waited on the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, yesterday. The spokesman of the deputation, Mr. F Whiley, said that they felt uneasy at present, particularly regarding the taxation policy of the Government. The league considered the introduction of a debt-free money system as the most no? portant part of the Government's policy. During the- election campaign, the use of the slogans: “the country’s credit,” and “monetary reform,” had caused some people to think that the Labour Party .would reform, the monetary system of the. country, but an orthodox system was still being used.

Mr. Whiley said that as a result, people who had supported the Labour Party had a feeling that they had been “left in the air.”

“It would help us greatly if you would tell us what is the ultimate aim of tho Labour Government,” Mr. Whiley concluded.

The Minister, after hearing other speaker's, said: “The object of the Labour Party is Socialism. Is it yours?

The deputation in chorus said : “No. “Then we disagree on fundamental principles,” replied Air. Armstrong. “I have believed in Socialism since l was a boy. I see no reason to change my views.”

A voice: That is a long time ago. Mr. Armstrong: When you are as old as I am, and when you have had a little more experience of the world, you will believe in the philosophy of Socialism too.

Later, Mr. Armstrong informed the deputation that if he was a member of the Social Credit movement, lie would not be so uneasy about New Zealand as he would be aLout the State of Alberta. Members of the deputation countered this suggestion by saving that it was too early to judge results in Alberta yet as Social Credit had not been fully tested.

“Nor lias Socialism been fully tried in New Zealand yet,” returned Mr. Annstrong. He continued by saying that- the Government was moving in the direction of reform. It had taken control of the Reserve Bank, and under the legislation it had power to use that institution in any way it pleased. “There is no more money in New Zealand to-day than there was before we took office,” said the .Minister. “Yet in nine months we have brought about a

state of prosperity. You see it everywhere you look. The spending power t of the people has been increased by about ‘ £23,C00,C00, and ‘that money is changing bands every week.” Members of the deputation tried to induce the Minister to make a favourable declaration on the subject of debt-free credit, but Mr. Armstrong urged the deputation, not to make a fetish of that idea.