CHAMBER AND LOBBY

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 98, 7 December 1928, Page 4

CHAMBER AND LOBBY

parliamentary note book. POINTS FROM, THE DEBATE. So far he was personally concerned lie would on all occasions vote with Labour to put the Government, out, .and lie would do it like a shot, said] Sir Joseph Ward. Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) said he would vote for the amendment moved by Sir Joseph Ward, but thereafter ho would view measures critically and vote accordingly. He wished to make that declaration in order to make his position as an Independent member clear. ■ ■ XXX Ou the, question of fusion Mr H. E. Holland said that on previous declarations by members of the Reform and United Parties he was entitled to believe there was only one party opposed to the Government, and that party was Labour. —xx — It had been said the present Government had keen a minority Government for 16 years. If that was so then it had a wonderful performance and it onl ysbowed what a brilliant Goveriiment it was.—Hon. R. A. Wright. j X —X—X Mr Lysnar said be would support Sir Joseph Waird to get money if it could be got without cost to the taxpayers. Personally, he was independent, and was prepared to give the Unitedi Party the same kind of support he had given Reform .1 —A voice: Then God help them! (Laughter), - • X .X X What lie proposed, said Sir Joseph Ward, was to borrow £60,000,000 at the rate of from 8 to 10 millions per year to lend to settlers, and £1D,000,000 to be spent ou completing unfinished railways ,including the South Island Main Trunk, the West-land-Nelson line, the Taranaki-Auck-land line and the East Coast line 1 . 5 x —x The Prime Minister had fought a good fight and shown splendid spirit in defeat. The Government recognised the people had the right to do as

they thought proper, and they had no regrets. They were, of concerned about the future of .the country. What they wanted was a Government that would show favour to none and equal opportunity to all. Hon. R. A. Wright. / ~ —xx— The Miniter of Finance reminded Sir Joseph Ward that he had promised) to reduce taxation and the maximum amount of income tax and to make the tax equitable in its inciance and it only showed what a briltonched the maximum amount last iyear and it had left the big man art he was. Sir Joseph had also stated he was going to reduce company taxation. They wanted to put those things on .record. Sir, Joseph*: “J am sure we should pit on record that you are about to leave.” —xx— ' Sir Joseph Ward criticised the action of the Prime Minister in declaring the United Party candidates had taken fright at his borrowing proposals. That was not so, but Reform influence wag observable in one or two cases. There was another side to that question. Former prominent Reformers had stood as United candi-

dated, but nothing was s&id about that. He at least was determined 1 to put his policy through, and if the House would not help him the country would. He was not going to sit there and not put his policy through. i —x— It wag clear that the Reform Government must go out, said Mr H. B .Holland), and whatever Government came in would be supported hy Labour’s method would be an increase line with Labour’s policy. They wanted closer settlement, breaking up of large ©states and intensified farming, aided by scientific research. The United Party was also in favour of closer settlement, hut he did not> know how they proposed to do it. Labour’s method woul dbe an increase in the graduated land tax. —xx— The Hon W. Downie Stewart said that in 1925 Sir Joseph Ward had stated he was of opinion that the two main parties should get together and endeavour to form the strongest and best Government the Dominion could prodhco and his assistance and advice would ever go into trying to bring that about. ■ Sir Joseph: “What year was that? v Mr Stewart: “1925.” Sir Joseph: “I must have a look at that.” (Laughter). # .. The Minister said he had made this reference, to show the ©lectors what Sir Joseph had said then. Sir Joseph: “Anyhow it shows I am always ready to meet a new 1 situation.” (Laughter).