“BEARDING LION IN DEN”
THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT USEFUL ECONOMIES MOST NECESSARY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Claiming that the Government had done' its utmost to rehabilitate the stability of New Zealand, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) at a luncheon accorded by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to-day vigorously defended the measures adopted as part of the reconstruction programme. “I always believe in bearding the lion in his den,” said the Prime Minister, who said that he welcomed the opportunity of placing the Government’s side of national questions before the business community. Good purpose ' could be served by meeting the men who were behind resolutions which from time to time reached the Government. He did not think the Chambers of Commerce should refrain from criticising the Government. If they did the major portion of their work would cease (laughter). “You are looked upon as the watch dogs of the community to see that the money taken by the Government is spent to the best advantage,” said Mr. Forbes. “That is only natural.” Taken as a whole the Press criticism of the Government’s policy had not been unfair. The wholehearted support accorded by the Press and the business and banking interests in connection with the internal debt conversion had been most heartening, and the results would be to the benefit of the country. The response had been magnificent, only .5 per cent, dissenting. The much needed reduction of the rate of interest New Zealand would be the main consequent benefit. Dealing with unemployment, Mr. Forbes said the annual expenditure of over £4,000,000 indicated that the Government was doing its best to meet the needs of those in trouble. Unfortunately there would be some privations, but the best possible was being done. On the question of economies the Prime Minister said he agreed that the strictest economy should be exercised in the field of Government expenditure so that what the taxpayer was asked to provide was only that which was absolutely necessary. The Prime Minister reviewed at length the financial and trading position of the rm m try since 1929, and said that he expected that the estimate of a deficit of £700,000 for the financial year which will end on Friday would be realised.
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Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1933, Page 6
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385“BEARDING LION IN DEN” Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1933, Page 6
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