“EXTRAVAGANT CHILD”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21448, 12 September 1939, Page 2

“EXTRAVAGANT CHILD”

NEW ZEALAND CRITICISED New Zealand is referred to as an | ••extravagant child” by Mr G. W. Rickards, the Conservative M.P. for | Skipton, in an article written for a I local newspaper, the “Craven Herald and Pioneer.” Commenting on the demands for bigger pensions in Britain. Mr Rickards said:—“l have no doubt the Socialists will point out that in NewZealand, under a Socialist Government, pensions for an old man and his wife are £3 per week. But I do not suppose they will at the same time explain that up till very recently New Zealand relied almost entirely upon this capitalist country of ours to protect her, and that their contribution in the mutual defence of our Empire was almost negligible. "Notwithstanding this immense saving to the New- Zealand Government, one of then- Ministers, Mr Nash, has had to come to this capitalist country to borrow money and, as their credit has been so much weakened, they could only borrow after promises to repay in three years instead of getting a long-term loan. “It is very evident their Government will have to put their house in order or else face a financial crisis within a short time. New Zealand has been like an extravagant child and i has. like many children who have got into financial difficulties, come to her parents for assistance. She has. I believe, been told very frankly t.-at she shall have help this time, but in future she will have to cut her clothes I according to her cloth.” | The Investors’ Review, commenting I on the New Zealand Budget, says that the average New Zealander is fairly well off. But it adds:—"How long he will remain so. unless his Government adopts some less ambitious programme than it is still carrying out. is doubtful. Mr Nash congratulates himself upon a ‘magnificent transport system.’ Even the ownership of a Rolls Royce is poor consolation to a bankrupt.”