LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 81, 14 March 1931, Page 6

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

ADDRESS-M-REPLY MOTION WAGE REDUCTION SUPPORTED WORKERS WILL REAP BENEFIT. WELLINGTON, "March 13. The Legislative Council met at 2..'10 p.m. to-day. .■ ■ • Replying to the Hon. A. S. Malcolm. who asked if the Government would submit a motion of congratulation to Lord Rutherford for the approval of the Council, Sir Thomas Sidey said that the Government did not think that such a.eourse was desirable in the special session. Moving the Address-in-Rely motion, Sir James Allen said he agreed with the principles underlying 'he Government's proposals. New Zealand had .made sacrifices:before and he was sure the country would rise to the occasion how. He stressed the necessity for balancing the Budget and said th.it .failure to do so would lead to increase.--in the cost of living. The. cuts prop'ftaad now would not entail such hardships as those in 1921, as the cost, of living-had come down. He issued a, note of warning against heavy taxation, as it was likely to lead to increased unemployment. Seconding tin: motion, Sir William Hnll-.Toßjes said that I<i'V7 Zealand was paying the penalty of heavy borrowing after the war. The majority of the people were anxious to see party spirit placed on one side. He believed th"l the workers would bo the first to feel tl\e benefit of reduced wages, as there would be decreases in the cost of living. He opposed the proposed change of railway control, as he did not see how a board could do any better than the, Government. Sir John Sinclair stressed the necessity for decreased cost of production. It." was Parliament's duty to see that, then" was equality of sacrifice. Other countries had had to face wage reductions. Ho hoped the unemployment problem would not be. made a subject, of party strife. ~Nr\v Zealand would do well to exorcise care in externa! borrowing. The Council adjourned at 4.15 p.m.