RISE CRITISED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19699, 3 August 1938, Page 12

RISE CRITISED

COSTS OF INDUSTRY LEGISLATION BLAMSD PRAISE FOR ISULXIKT GUARANTEED PRICE ( IVr Vtma Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The House of Representatives resumed the debate on the Budget yesterday afternoon, Mr, S. G. Holland i.Nat., Christchurch North), whose speech was interrupted by the adjoiu'iimcnt on Friday, continuing his address. Mr. Holland proceeded to criticise the Government's legislation which, he contended, had been responsible for the greatly increased costs. He instanced the case of one shirt manufacturing business in Christchurch, where costs had been increased 4J per cent under the Labour regime. He also held that as a result of the present Government's industrial policy, the output in industry was being reduced, and he suggested that a royal commission might profitably be set up to inquire into the whole position. Mr, J. Robertson (Lab., Mastertori) said that the Labour Party was the only political organisation in the Dominion which had refused admission to the Communists. Mr. W. J. Poison (Nat., Stratford): The president of the Federation of Labour is a Communist. Tne Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Eraser: Will you say that outside? , Mr. Poison: Yes. Mr, Eraser: 1 challenge you to say it outside. Mr; Poison: 1 will prove it. Statements Challenged Mr. Robertson referred to a statement made in the House last week by Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Nat., Central Otago), in which he criticised the Minister of Public Works for his statement in regard to the reported utterances of a woman supporter of the National Party. Mr. Bodkin had made two incorrect statements, said Mr. Robertson. The lady in question had been through other electorates addressing meetings, and it was incorrect to assert that the statement was made at a public meeting. The patients had no option but to listen. It was not the only incident of the kind that had' happened in New Zealand, said Mr. Robertson. The only time the rights of democracy had been interfered with i.i New Zealand was when the last Government extended the life of Parliament without reference to the people. Mr. Bodkin: What about the radio? Mr. Robertson: There is more freedom of the air to-day than ever before. Mr C. R. Petrie (Lab., Hauraki) congratulated the Minister of Finance on balancing the Budget without hurting an individual and on the building up of reserves without borrowing over seas. There seemed to be a new sp.iit of optimism and the people were feeing the future in a new spirit m confidence and resolution. "Brakes Still Off" The Leader of the Opposition, he said, had described the Budget as a soft-pedalling budget, but the brake: were std! off and the Government was still pedalling on until it reached the end of the journey. The Labour Gov eminent had organised economic lift so that prosperity had reached, every individual. Our progress had become tne envy of nearly every othei country. The Opposition, said Mr. Petrie, held that it stood for private enterprise ana was totally opposed to socialism, bu on closely examining the previoiu Government's legislation, a good many socialistic measures were disclosed. Mr. W. P. Endean (Nat., ParnelL contended that it was impossible to insulate New Zealand manufacturing in dustries, which were placed at a sen ous disadvantage through high cost: when competing with oversea product: and he also contended that the Gov-

eminent had shown unwillingness to accept the advice of its experts, as wa; exemplified by the recent statement of the Reserve Bank Board, which had pointed out an error in the Government public works. Mr. Endean said that the farmers were not satisfied with the guaranteed price, but the Government had capitulated this election year. They were not satisfied because the Government was not giving them what they were entitled to, namely, their own money. He referred to the advisory committee as a "star chamber," and asked why the farmer should not know all that took place regarding his own rights. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment at 5.30